Day and a Bit Race 2012
Looking for a fun way to race? The Day and a Bit Race is the answer. Two days on the water, with an overnight stay in Gibsons, it doesn't get any better than that?
Race Results
2012 Day and a Bit Race June 23
The view from Ooviloo: The fleet started from the harbour in a rainy and grey morning with light SE winds. The fickle breeze in the harbour led to few different tactics to get around Gallows Point, with the favored side turning out to be the Nanaimo side. Some of the fleet accordioned at the Gabriola hole with Great Blue Heron breaking free first and taking the lead. The skies cleared, the breeze freshened and spinnakers came out with most boats favouring the rhumb line or slightly north. GBH and Synergy took a more southerly route. We were all given some time for contemplation when the breeze shut off a few mile from the finish, all except for GBH who was in another time zone, reaching the finish line an hour before the next boat. When the race came back on it was clear that Synergy's play to the south paid big dividends as they snuck ahead of Dilligaf. Or perhaps Dilligaf was just tuckered out from singling handing nine sail changes on the way across. At the finish it was Great Blue Heron, Synergy, Dilligaf, Cu Na Mara, Optimist Shmoptimist and Ooviloo, with the rest caught in the hole until timing out. A great time was then had in Gibsons, with festivities at the dock and dinner at Molly's Reach. Sunday's race back to Nanaimo started in sunshine and a light breeze from the southeast that quickly defied the day's forecast and built to something in the order 10 knots. Ooviloo, apparently confused about the direction to the finish line, struck out for Lasqueti, with the rest of the fleet staying closer to a more direct route to Nanaimo. GBH got their spinnaker up first, which the fleet seemed to agree was a good move, with Synergy, Dilligaf, Cu Na Mara and Ooviloo soon hoisting spinnakers too. The fleet accordioned for some tight racing at the finish, with Cu Na Mara overtaking Dilligaf somewhere around Snake Island and finally reeling in GBH in the Nanaimo Harbour. Ooviloo returned from their northern explorations and and made Steve nervous chasing Optimist into the Gabriola hole. Ooviloo was not able to complete their pass before Optimist broke free and nipped at Synergy's heels around Gallows Point. The finish order off the Dinghy Dock pub was Cu Na Mara, Great Blue Heron, Dilligaf, Synergy, Optimist Schmoptimist, Ooviloo, Athansor, Shaheen, Babette and Okapi. The fantastic day's race was recounted in many versions over drinks and appies hosted by the Dinghy Dock pub.
Race Photos
Race Archive
- Day and a Bit Race 2022 | View Race
- Day and a Bit Race 2019 | View Race
- Day and a Bit Race 2018 | View Race
- Day and a Bit Race 2017 | View Race
- Day and a Bit Race 2016 | View Race
- Day and a Bit Race 2015 | View Race
- Day and a Bit Race 2014 | View Race
- Day and a Bit Race 2013 | View Race
