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Espresso takes Gray Creek Regatta

About 50 sailors on 22 boats took part in the annual Gray Creek Regatta.
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The Gray Creek Trophy in the hands of the B Fleet winners Martyn LeMarquand and the crew of “Espresso”.

About 50 sailors on 22 boats took part in the annual Gray Creek Regatta which was held this year out of the Lakeview Marina. Five fleets of boats braved the wind and rain which were plentiful the first day of the race until the final race which turned into a dreaded “drifter” but was finished by most boats.

On Sunday the wind was blowing from the south at 15 to 20 knots which made for an exciting day and a number of cuts and bruises on steep slippery decks.

Several families competed this year on a number of different boats and about 15 of the sailors were under 19.

This was considered a big success by organizers who are striving to have this friendly competitive event attract youth and families, though the odd pirate is welcome too.

This was the 41st consecutive year of the modern regatta though the trophy dates from the early 1920s. The regatta is organized by the Kootenay Lake Sailing Association with the family of Kim Deane and sponsored by the Nelson Brewing Co., Oso Negro Coffee and Cal Renwick.

Congratulations to all the crews on the winning boats and thanks to everyone who came out and the sponsors who supported the event.

Regatta winners:

B Fleet of the keelboats and overall winner-Martin LeMarquand  in “Espresso”, a Olson 25

Opti fleet-Liam Blackmore

Laser fleet-first Alexandra Deane and Christopher Mountain, second Alexander Mountain and Gavin Deane

Multi Hull fleet-Dave Heath on a Hobie 20

A Fleet of the keelboats-Jim Reaburn in “Orbit”, a J29