Tripp Tease will race no longer in 2013. She may get out for the odd weekend "cruise," but having come off a great season of racing she will now rest.
Vic-Maui, Swiftsure, and Round Saltspring regattas are all on the table for 2014. "This was a very successful year and it makes you want to do it all over again," said Tripp Tease sail trimmer and Comox Bay Sailing Club (CBSC) Commodore Andrew Walther.
Tripp Tease, owned by Harold Long, finished third (of 22 boats) in Div. 1 of Round Saltspring, DNF in Swiftsure (although they were the second boat to Neah Bay out of a fleet of 70), and placed third (of 10 boats) in Div. 1 of this year's Black Press Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race.
The most important facet about racing on Tripp Tease is the members of the team. The core crew has sailed past regattas (VI360, Swiftsure etc.) together for several years now, and very good relationships have been formed over the years.
"The fact that we got along so well and had fun – in close quarters – for extended period is what it's all about," said Walther. "Success in the races is an added bonus – if we were at each other's throats the whole time, the podium finishes would not have meant anything. It was especially nice to bring the win into Comox – what a great reception we had with the Mayor of Comox Paul Ives welcoming the fleet!"
The other interesting aspect about the racing campaign is that Tripp Tease, unlike other yachts, does not race regularly. "We started our preparations late last fall, sailed around the buoys in a few of the local races and then went on to be successful at the major regattas," Walther said.
Most boats hailed from Victoria, Vancouver, Seattle, Nanaimo and Portland – where large fleets of big boats give the other teams a chance to practice and tune their boats. "We don't have that luxury here – which makes the successes even better," said Walther.
The CBSC hosted the Comox stop for the 2013 Van Isle 360 and this could not have been done without contributions from many different groups. The Comox Valley Yacht Club (CVYC) provided the race committee boat and volunteers courtesy of Alex Wile and Tony Brett , and was responsible for bringing the Van Isle 360 to Comox when it started several years ago.
The Comox Bay Marina, Comox Municipal Marina, Desolation Sound Yacht Charters and Comox Government Wharf all provided moorage for the 42 yachts – with all moorage proceeds donated to the BC Children's Hospital Foundation (just under $2,000). Also thanks to the boat owners at Comox Bay Marina who moved their boats to make room for the racers for the evening.
The Town of Comox provided the facilities for the awards and breakfast, which was provided by the Rotary Club and Qualicum Foods. Blast Sailing, who ran the Van Isle 360, donated an Optimist sailing dinghy to the Comox Bay Sailing Club. Oak Bay Marine Group also contributed to the logistics of the Tripp Tease campaign. Finally a special thanks to Esther Blackburn, a local sailor, for playing the bagpipes on the wharf when the VI360 boats left Comox for Campbell River.
Competitive and recreational sailing is alive and well in the Comox Valley. If you want to get involved with either dinghies or keelboats, contact Walther at 250-941-1422 or andrew@apwengineering.com. You can also check out the club's website, www.comoxbaysailingclub.ca, for more information on the sailing school, junior race program and dinghy/keelboat racing. Club members also have access to the club-owned 420s, Lasers and Optimist dinghies.
– Comox Bay Sailing Club