Less than a week to the most challenging event on Lake Ontario

by Brian Townsend on 12 Jul 2011 Saturday morning July 16th will be the start of a 300 nautical mile yacht race with over 140 yachts competing in fully crewed, double handed, single handed and multi hull divisions.

The race begins and ends at Port Credit Yacht Club.

After last year’s arduous voyage that caused 30% of the competing boats to withdraw from the race, this year’s competitors are hoping for an easier run at the prestigious Sperry Cup.
There are many opportunities for media to take advantage of our story lines via phone interview, onsite interviews, additionally photo boats are available for on the water shots and interviews. We have photographers taking photos for possible use by media.

Event Schedule:
Friday June 15th,
10:00 am – Registration opens
7:00 pm Skippers Meeting and Pre Race party
Saturday June 16th
6:30 AM – Pre-Race Breakfast sponsored by Sperry Top-Sider
9:15 am – boats start to break up rafts and head to start line
9:45 am – Media Boats and VIP spectator boats depart for start line
10:30 am – First Gun to begin start sequence

Story Lines Include:

Sailors from all around the Great Lakes are preparing for a marathon event. Over 600 sailors have taken a minimum of 2 days off work to compete in this year’s race and finish in good time. On a weather dependant race, sailors rely on a variety of skills and technology to find the wind 24 hours a day.
Internet tracking of the race provides live updates and is accompanied by race blogs and facebook updates from competitors throughout the race.

Broad Reach Charity for Youths have taken a big step and will be starting the race with a boat crewed by deprived youths who are in their program.

140 yachts heading across Toronto’s waterfront Saturday morning is the most amazing spectacle for viewers to see. Typically prevailing winds require the spinnakers to be hoisted on the first mark to Gibraltor Point.
Dick Stenginga, an accomplished double handed racer who competed in the first LO300 is returning this year to compete against his brother, based out of Detroit, who is also going to race double handed. The Stenginga brothers have won major offshore ocean and lake races, including the LO300, but have never competed against each other.
The Teams have been pretty well set for this year’s Skippers Plan Team Challenge that allows the various yacht clubs to compete for the honour of best offshore racing club and prize money that goes towards Junior Learn to Sail programs.

Once again the boat Paradox from Olcott Yacht Club will be competing with a crew of all teenagers. This is a tough race for the experienced sailor as there is no coach boat, or assistance while on the water. This is a great achievement for these youths.

Interviews with race participants and registration information can be arranged.
If you wish more information on the race history, details on above stories please contact below.

For more information contact:

Brian Townsend
647-272-2127
bdtownsend@rogers.com

Guy Perrin
416- 729-4897
grperrin@sail-world.com