In July, Toronto’s Ashbridge’s Bay Yacht Club played host to the 2001 Thunderbird International Regatta sponsored by Doyle Sails. The majority of the 20-boats on the starting line hailed from Ashbridge’s Bay Yacht Club. Four boats made the journey from Boston area’s Fleet 5 (The Gilsons in Amra, Sean Kane and crew in Chikanery, Ken MacLeod in Flying Gull, and Dr. Kavanaugh in Thunderation) and one from Erie, Pennsylvania - Jon and Justina Tushak on Page 43. In loaner boats were Australian Skipper Kevin Battye of The Royal Geelong Yacht Club aboard Behavin’ and Neil Christensen from Seattle’s Corinthian Yacht Club on Taaris.

We knew early that it would prove to be an interesting regatta. The Gilsons arrived first, and after dropping their boat at ABYC close to midnight, they headed for the U of T at Scarborough residences. Feeling that they were lost, they asked one of Toronto’s finest how to get there. The police car decided to give them an escort to the University. And, of course, those of us who have the pleasure of knowing the Gilsons know full well that the only reason Ethan came this year was because we timed the regatta to coincide with the Red Sox visiting the Blue Jays!

Meanwhile, we all awaited the arrival of the Tushaks from Erie with Page 43.. We knew that Jon had recently re-built the boat. When Jon and Justina arrived late Saturday evening, we discovered that they had never even seen another T-Bird. Talk about a steep learning curve!

July dates were chosen for the regatta because typically, Lake Ontario is still fairly cold, and with the normally hot July temperatures and sunny skies, an 8 – 12 knot thermal is likely to develop from the southwest making tactics very interesting indeed. Alas, it was not to be. A huge high developed over Quebec to the east of us, and the gradient winds veered into the east as a result of our being on the back side of the system. Temperatures were much cooler than normal and at any time local experts felt the winds would shift to the right. We had planned a five leg windward-leeward course which was set 1 mile south of ABYC and featured an offset weather mark and a leeward gate.

The 11-race regatta planned over 5 days got off to a slow start when Monday’s weather didn’t produce any wind. Day 2 saw light and variable winds that allowed the Race Committee to run two shortened races after a brief delay. Looney Tunes, helmed by Wendy Loat took the early lead of the regatta with a first and second. On the last leg of the second race, Flying Gull took advantage of a huge shift to the left to pass eight or more boats and take the gun which landed Ken and crew in second place overall for the day. By the end of day 2, only two of a possible six races had been sailed, so the planned lay-day was cancelled.

The easterly winds freshened to 12 –15 knots for Wednesday and 10 – 12 knots on Thursday under sunny skies producing perfect racing conditions. Although in his first year racing Thunderbirds, ABYC’s Oliver Lennox-King dominated these two days of racing, scoring three firsts, a second and two third place finishes. He was ably assisted by his brother Roland who flew in from Auckland, New Zealand and Tom and Wouter Van Essen of Holland – former 470 World Champions. After three days of racing it was clear that Strange Device was the boat to beat and only three other Fleet 10 boats were within striking distance: Looney Tunes, Rattle-Ya-Dags helmed by David Holmes and Chris Reil of One Too Many. Driving on Thursday was especially difficult as the waves were bigger than the wind, and those who are usually ocean racers learned all about that Lake Ontario chop.

For the last day of racing the easterly winds were lighter again still – around 6 – 8 knots. The two previous days of moderate easterlies ensured there was a strong lake current through the course along with a tight 1-2 foot chop. David Loney on Wampum was first to the weather mark and maintained his lead to win the first race of the day. The spirits on Rattle-Ya-Dags were surely raised as Strange Device finished 8^th, reducing their overall lead to 3 points with two races remaining. But Strange Device rallied and was able to protect their lead with a 1^st and 2^nd place finish, winning four of the regatta’s races. Despite winning the fifth and the last race, Rattle-Ya-Dags finished second overall, and Looney Tunes, with three firsts came in third just two points ahead of One Too Many. Fifth place went to John Morris in Rock It. Oh yes, the winds finally moved to the right half way through the last race!

If you did not have a good day on the water, there was plenty of opportunity to make up for it on shore. The scrum around the Cool Beer tent became a daily ritual where embellished racing tales were exchanged over a couple pints on the deck. These post race parties and barbecues on the patio were also a good opportunity for the competitors to meet and practice making excuses. We were lucky enough to have sponsors for each night of post-race de-briefing, ensuring that everyone’s thirst was quenched. The award for the largest and most frequent hangovers went to the crew of Flying Gull. Some mornings the rest of the fleet had all left the dock before they arrived at their boat! Good thing the race course was close to shore.

Wednesday night saw much of the Boston crowd head to the ball game with Rick and Dianne Bott and other members of ABYC. Alas for the Bostonians, no one would bet that the Jays would actually win, so they couldn’t make any money on that!

On the weekends, the entertainment was provided by live bands. The Weathered Legs, which is the ABYC house band, played at the "welcome" party and featured Rattle-Ya-Dags skipper David Holmes on guitar and Wampum crew Steve Turner on drums. The lead singer, Julius Gryguc, got glowing reviews and graciously returned for the presentation night festivities to play with his real band, the Wasted Knights (no relation to Mike Macdonald’s boat). A good time was had by all, and everyone at ABYC will long remember the front wall of the harbour with 20 T-Birds lined up in a row!

The regatta was to finish with an old-timers regatta, but, alas the wind gods were fickle, and refused to show up on Saturday. Two boats from Boston, Flying Gull and Chickanery, prepared for their sailing trip back to Boston. At last report, they had made it as far as New York, but my information is a few weeks old. Perhaps they will write their own report about the trip home.

The regatta provided something for everyone in the fleet. Even those who weren’t at the top of the fleet enjoyed the tremendous generosity of our sponsors – Doyle Sailmakers, Robertson and Robertson Insurance Brokers, Sandpiper Travel and the Northern Irish Tourist Board and the keg party sponsors, Harvey Cowtan, Barristers, Jose Couture, Re-Max, Dufour Yachts Canada, Bristol Marine, MicMac Marine and, of course, Ashbridges Bay Yacht Club and its members, who due to their tremendous support, allowed us to provide the presentation dinner tickets to the competitors. In addition, the race committee work was superb, allowing the International Jury to relax and enjoy the festivities most evenings.

There were many stories throughout the fleet. All of us learned something – except maybe Oliver, who showed us all how it should be done, with his truly "International" crew, and their fabulous attitude. It was a popular victory, and our heartiest congratulations to Oliver Lennox-King and his crew, Roland Lennox-King, and Tom and Wauter van Essen.

Oliver Lennox-King and the crew of Strange Device are the 19^th recipients of the Thunderbird Trophy and the second boat from ABYC to earn this honour. We understand that Oliver and the Van Essens will be attempting to win their first North East District Championships in September. Some of the rest of us have other ideas…