Sunshine Coast Yacht Club

2025 Gary White Memorial Regatta

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What happened at the event?

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July 19th greeted the Gary White Memorial regatta participants with a high overcast sky and light wind out of the southeast.  After the skipper’s meeting at the Gibsons Marina, sailors headed to their boats and the fleet proceeded to the starting area between Home Island and the anchored pin, as the Committee vessel hovered close by. 
The tide was on the rise and wind which was forecast to be light, built steadily in Shoal Channel to 12 knots with gusts to 16.  The race started promptly at 11:30, with the fleet tacking out in a now brisk south easterly, continuing to beat out around the Popham islands into the Salish Sea (aka Georgia Straight) as the committee vessel moved to set-up for the finish line in Gibsons Harbour.
The fleet rounded Worlcombe Island for the downwind leg in Collingwood Chanel to round Bowen Rock.  Predictably the wind shadow of Bowen Island played havoc with boats who battled to find a way round the mark with virtually no wind!
Finally clear of the doldrums at Bowen Rock into the lee of the North end of Keats Island then into a 10 gust to 20 knot inflow, heading for the finish line.
The first boat over the line was Topless followed closely by Coho and Sunshine.  The remainder of the fleet finished within 18 minutes of the leader with the exception of one unfortunate vessel (who shall remain nameless) that drifted for a further two hours by Bowen Island’s shadow to finally clear the doldrums and to cross the finish line with 8 minutes and 32 seconds to spare before the race-end cut-off.

The second day of racing, July 20, was in the Gibsons Harbour / Granthams Landing area.  We saw a 5 to 7 knot southerly inflow by around 9:30, and by the start signal, it had built to a pretty steady 10 knots.

The first start saw two boats over early and one other boat protested for a rule 10 violation.  For the Rule 10 violation, the “at fault” vessel did their 720 turn and was therefore exonerated.  One of the over-early boats corrected their mistake.  The other, unfortunately did not.  The Sailing Instructions stated that the “I” flag will not be flying however, it will be enforced.  The committee vessel consulted with a well-respected BC Sailing Regional Race Officer to ensure that the competitor knew of the rule change.
Next year we will have a full set of flags!

The third race, second of the day, was a text book start with the wind between 12 and 15 knots.  All boats finished within an hour.  Next year we will have to have a longer course or perhaps twice around.

Thank you to the skipper and crew of Sunshine who helped (twice) to “square off” the start / finish line by moving the pin end further north.  So much better!  And thank you to all skippers and crew for making this event competitive and fun.  Pictures of the winner’s circle will be posted shortly.  Anyone with photos they would like shared, please send us a message via the Sunshine Coast Yacht Club contact information and we will be in touch.