LO300 Booklet 2010_04_09 Low RES - Lake Ontario 300

LO300 Page 7The Lake Ontario 300 originated through the interest and vision of severalsingle handed sailors at Oakville Harbour Yacht Club, now part of OakvilleYacht Squadron, and the Port Credit Yacht Club. Johan Pederson and hisgroup envisioned a long distance race to challenge the skills of those who usuallyraced single-handed in the Lake Ontario Short Handed Racing Series (LOSHRS)or around the cans on their club’s race nights, or went to regattas such as the LakeYacht Racing Association and sailed the Freeman Cup. Most, if not all, of theselong distance races were for fully crewed boats. Johan realized that often the sailingdone on Lake Ontario was by 2 people and racing double handed was a goodway to improve and challenge skills.The first race in 1990 had 67 double handedboats racing around Main Duck Islandwith 9 divisions. The highlight in its inauguralyear was the win by a C&C34 Cosmos,sailed by John Bleasby of RCYC.In 1991, sponsors were introduced to therace with Fuji sponsoring the first of threeyears, and the race was branded The Fujinon300. 87 boats were on the starting linethe first year.The overall winner for 1991 was Brian Chapman (now UK Sails) and Greg Bradkiew(now Evolution Sails) in a Dash 34 called Afterburn.For many of the LOSHRS sailors, the double handed 1992 Fujinon was a mustdo. The third running of the race had 83 boats and since it was solely for doublehanded boats, it was considered quite anachievement just to finish the race. Survival,an Abbott 33, with the father/son team ofBill and Peter Roscoe, won overall. Bandit,skippered by Bruce MacCorkindale, camesecond for the second year in a row, andthird was Dick Steigenga’s Macintosh.The 1993 race saw 75 boats start and 61cross the finish line. Division winners includedSurvival, a repeat winner and Macintoshat the top of its division.With this type of race, it is very hard to predict what conditions will be encountered,and 1994 had little or virtually no wind for the first two days which is almostunheard of on Lake Ontario. Only 14 boats of the 64 starters were able to completethe course, and Sand Storm, an Abbott 33 won overall.Interesting tidbit – Derek Hatfield raced a J92, Gizmo to a first in division andninth overall.Gary Benner, with Pat Sturgeon, won his division and was third overall on Amaroneand LO300 founder Johan Pederson was 2nd in his division.LO300 Booklet 2010_03_12 FINAL.indd 709/04/2010 9:08:27 PM