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Eighteen multihulls duelled it out at Cowichan Bay on the BC Day Weekend for the  2010 Karl Uthoff Northwest Multihull Championship Cup. The winner was Geneva skippered by Eric Pesty, second place went to Red Shift (Wayne Gorrie) and third Dragonfly (Richard Ackrill). There was also an A Class division with  Kim Alfred’s USA 249 taking first place followed by Screamin Seaman (Jason Arnold) and USA 247 (Morgan Tedra). On Saturday night, sailors and friends enjoyed a Steak BBQ and beforehand the Margaritas  flowed courtesy of UK Halsey Sailmakers  of Sidney, BC.

NewCastle Island offered a beautiful setting for the BC Multihull Society’s July 17^th get together.  Boats anchored in the shallow end of Mark Bay and again some of our more hardy members went swimming. There was an abundance of food to be shared at the group dinner ashore Saturday evening. Gary Astill took on the role of BBQ supervisor and ensured no one’s dinner was ruined by too much time spent socializing instead of cooking.  An enjoyable time was had by all.

Nine boats entered the Cape Flattery Multihull division of the Swifsure International Yacht race – Bad Kitty (BCMS), Dream Chaser (BCMS), Sauterelle (BCMS), Dragon Fly, Red Shift, Blue Lightning, Freda Mae & Rufduck. Five multis choose the shorter Rosedale Rocks course – Geneva (BCMS),  Cat Sass, Drum, Son of Raven & Taz.  A good time was had on the dock Friday before the race with meeting old friends and making new as well as checking out improvements made over the winter to the various boats.  Richard Ackrill (Dragonfly) organized a Group dinner for Multihullers at the Royal Victoria Yacht club on Friday night.  Over fifty people attended and had a good meal plus lots of laughs over the stories told.

Strong Wind (over 30 knots) was in the forecast for the race start on Saturday and for most of the day.  For once, the forecast was true which resulted in quite a few boats withdrawing due to damage to equipment or unpleasant conditions for the crew.  First home in the Swiftsure race was Dragonfly @ 8:30 PM on Saturday night.  Next multihull was Red Shift @ 5:07 AM Sunday morning followed by Blue Lightning at 6:30 AM.  All the other boats in the Cape Flattery Multihull Division did not finish. Geneva was first in the Rosedale Rocks race.

The weather forecast was for a pleasant Victoria Day Long weekend.  Saturday morning was bright and sunny, however, the clouds gathered throughout the day with the rain starting just as we assembled on the beach for our group beach BBQ at 6:00 P.M.  Chips got soggy and sauce washed off steaks in the downpour but quite a few very hardy Multihullers stuck it out to eat truly al fresco.  Numbers were down considerably by the time we held the BC Multihull Society Annual Meeting at 8:00 PM but there was a quorum so the business of the club could be completed.  This was approval of the 2009 Finanical Statements and election of 2010 Directors.

Rain began again on Sunday afternoon at 12:30 P.M. just as our fun race started. (The Gods were not kind to us this weekend). The good news was there was also wind plus the rain stopped shortly after the race got underway.  Most boats finished in less than two hours.  First in the Cruising Division was Dutch Treat (skipper Peter Schoonbeek), Second Manitou (skipper Peter McKercher) and third Paudeen whose Skipper Darren Mathison kept claiming his trimaran had a mental handicap not a sailing handicap. (or was he refering to himself?) Flying Kiwi (skipper Stu Kerr) was first in the racing division, second Sauterelle (skipper John Green) and third Sprint (skipper Richard Woods).

This was the first race for Bad Kitty after her new owners Ron Tomas and Bob Davis had spent the winter modifying her hull shape and reinforcing some of her weaker areas. She also got a new paint job and looked very glamorous in comparison to her previous incarnations.  Bob skippered  her in the race and was very pleased on how well she cut rhough the short chop.  Being stiffer meant she could slice through the waves instead of being tossed about by them.  The hope is that this will produce more speed.

The Awards were given out Sunday night at the club’s get together at the Port Browning restaurant. As always, everyone really enjoyed the cammaderie and the fresh air and a great start to the new sailing season.

Semiahmoo Bay International Regatta, April 24th & 25th was the first multihull racing event of 2010.  Forty four boats participated including TEN multihulls (Flying Kiwi (BCMS), Mustang Sally (BCMS), Screamin Seaman (BCMS), Blue Lightning, Flying Geese, Cat Sass, Black MaJac, A4, The Rufduck, & USA 249). Saturday had too much wind (9 -18 knots in the bay and 23 further out) and Sunday not enough. Mark Gumley’s Blue Lightning finished first in the 21 nautical mile Multihull race although Kim Alfred’s USA 249 (18 foot cataman) won the overall title.

Summer’s not over yet!!

Richard Woods reports from the water in Plumper Sound, Saturna, that Karl and Robbie Uthoff were sailing Wingspan. Thier first real chance to try out the new rig.

Some club members didn’t let a forecast of rain & stormy weather for the September Labour Day weekend stop them from enjoying the annual BC Multihull Society Winter Cove Sail in.  Flying Kiwi, Wingspan, Bad Kitty, Manitou, Geneva, Dream Chaser, Blue Tango, Santispac ( a potential member) and Green Flash arrived in the bay Friday and Saturday.  For the first time, there were no wind holes for the Sunday fun race and even Manitou managed to fly around the course.  When the rain came Sunday night, we all enjoyed the comfort of Gayle & Karl Uthoff’s new cabin for the prize giving and socializing.  The winds died on Monday so it was an easy sail home.  Thank you Gayle & Karl for letting us use your property for this event.

After many years without a mast, Wingspan is stepped with her new rig on Sunday Aug 9th. Karl Uthoff is excited about launching her in time for the September Sail-In at his cabin on Saturna Island. He can be heard  saying “Look out all you cruisers! here comes the competition”.  Ron Tomas , Stuart Keer, Tim Poustie, Derrek Poustie, Robbie Uthoff and Bob Davis spent the afternoon maneuvering it into position.