Summer Sailstice mission is to showcase the full spectrum of sailing which, for just about all participants, is a form a recreation. It's a race, a cruise, an adventure or challenge but as a foundation to it all is satisfaction, enjoyment, pleasure. Summer Sailstice booster, Liz Chandler, passed on a notice of race she received from the Pacific Northwest which goes for the fun first. The Volvo Race, the Bermuda Race and the Friday night beer can series all have their niche within sailing but we always get a smile when we read a 'Notice of Race' like the following:
Galiano's Second Annual Sailing "Race": Sunday, July 27th, 2014
Start Time: 1:30 pm
Start Location: Near the Northwest Shore of Prevost Island
The Race will Run using "Saturna Rules (with Galiano Variations)". We are running this event so as to be compatible with some participation in Turning the Tide.
Broadly speaking the race is won by generating fun for yourselves and other boats. Sailing as fast as you can is encouraged, but never at the expense of respect for your opponents (if you have any respect for them to start with) or at the expense of how much fun you and the rest of your boat's crew are having.
Boats get 'karma points' for ...
i) entertaining the other boats
ii) introducing people to the sport of sailboat racing
iii) being responsible for bringing other boats to the race
iv) nailing the start without nailing competitor's boats
v) including young people in the operation of your vessel
vI) being from far away
vii) doing additional laps of the "intermediate island circuit"
viii) crossing the finish line as close as possible to the predetermined finish time
(WITHOUT using any fancy tricks like heaving to in front of the line)
The Start
Boat representatives are encouraged to synchronize their watches with UTC. The default start time is 13:30 pm near the Charles Rocks off the northwest face of Prevost Island.
The Middle
Since the race will include a variety of types of sailing craft, and the Race Committee isn't particularly interested in recording complex things like arrival times or doing any math whatsoever, we will announce on race day an "intermediate island circuit", to be rounded as many times as is reasonable while still crossing the finish line as close as possible to the appointed time.
The End
The "Target Race Finish Time" will be weather and participant dependent. Unless otherwise decided, the finish line will be a line between the point on the north end of Little Parker and Charles Island, where crossing the finish occurs by traveling across that line moving from west to east.
After the race there is a "Drinks, Snacks and Bragging" meeting. This year, the Hennessy's have offered their place, deep within Montague Harbour, as the location for this important part of the event. Bring Your Own Everything.
There, each boat will get a chance to present an argument as to why they were the winning boat. The reasoning may include the particular kinds of fun they had, it may include specific reasons why they enjoyed the efforts of others. Creativity, including made up songs, poetry, short skits and costumes are encouraged.
After the presentation of arguments, a vote will be taken for overall winner where you are not permitted to vote for your own boat. The Race Committee may or may not take the vote into account. It may or may not also take into account "karma points" claimed by the various boats. Taking all facts, fictions, evidence and beliefs into account, the Race Committee will award several trophies.
