The Kootenay Lake Sailing Association hosted the annual Gray Creek Regatta in Crawford Bay during the September long weekend and sailing was spectacular with steady winds and sunny skies.
The regatta has roots in challenges between East Shore settlements back to 1923. This year’s event was the 36th consecutive since the modern series began in 1975. The historic trophy is displayed in the Gray Creek Store.
The interest in the event demonstrates the general increased interest in both recreational sailing and racing opportunities at all levels on Kootenay Lake.
The regatta was made possible due to the support of the Lakeview Resort in Gray Creek.
In the youth sailing category there was a six-way tie in the Optimist Green Fleet. The tie included Versailles McGeady-Bruce sailing Kokanee Camera, Indigo Bowick sailing Kokanee Camera, Seth Oosthuizen sailing Secret Garden Toys, Rayne Loeppky sailing the Puppa Mike, Aysia Loeppky sailing the Puppa Mike and Sierra Morely on the Bibby.
Yaël Oosthuizen sailing Speed of Light took first in the Optimist Blue Fleet category. Jessie Thurston sailing Kokanee Camera was second and Owen Thurston sailing Secret Garden Toys came in third.
In the dingy class, locals Caden Foy, Aigne McGeady-Bruce, Matthew Stachniak, and Oliver Horner sailing on Hairy Potter took home second.