Congratulations to Pell Mell and the team from Ballard Sails for winning the second annual Great Pumpkin Race! Their newly painted mint green hull was barely visible off in the distance. It was gorgeous day for the grand tour of Shilshole Bay and the surrounding area. We started off heading north with about 8-10 knots of wind being sure to pass M=Meadow Point to port and not ground on the spit with the tide at just about 2 ft, then to R=Spring Beach. A tacking fest ensued since the tide was flooding by then and current was much better near the coast. We rounded the U mark and heading south west toward Port Madison Yacht Club's Z buoy near Jefferson Head, then reaching back to B=Ballard Sails buoy and home to the old Meatball = N.
Pell Mell was followed by j105's Peer Gynt and Creative, Gaucho, Shearwater and the newest boat in town Pippa a Longtail 30. Congrats to all who came out! There was delicious pumpkin pie and cider after the race and a chance to hear how people managed around that Z buoy. The consensus was "stay low"!
All proceeds raised will go to the Ballard Food Banks this month. Thanks to Carlton Wilson and his crew for serving as the PRO and Committee Boat skipper! Carlton is also our STYC Treasurer and Board member.
This was our last race of the year, hope to see you on the water in 2022. Happy Fall! Sara Billey, Race Co-Chair for STYC
