A string of three Sunday firsts produced a 2003 June Bug victory for Fanshawe's Jens Biskaborn and his wife, Sharon, June 7th and 8th in a 6-boat Wayfarer fleet. After scoring 3-4-3 in Saturday's lovely sunshine but light and flukey winds, the Biskaborns got it all together in stronger, more consistent winds on the Sunday which again provided lovely warm weather (for a change) and sunny periods. In the end, Jens and Sharon tied for series first with Peter Rahn at 9 points, and won the tie-breaker on the strength of having scored more firsts. This was the first-ever regatta victory for Jens and Sharon!! Congratulations!! The 3rd-seeded Biskaborn crew thus also captured the green pennants as the regatta's Most Improved Wayfarers.

The 2003 June Bug also marked the racing debut of Peter Rahn's 15-year-old daughter, Krista, who did a super job on all counts as she filled in for her brother, Alex, who had serious exams studying to do. Krista and Peter ended up counting an admirably consistent 1-2-2-2-2. Facing the long drive back to Montreal, Peter chose not to sail the final race which might well have cost the defending June Bug champion, Peter, the series victory.

Also looking quite good, especially on the Sunday, were third-place finishers, Bob Kennedy and his crew, Ravi Gupta, who were leading a couple of the races and generally showed fine boat speed and pointing.

Rick Goldt and his son, Aaron, were the series leaders after Saturday's racing but could not sail Sunday when Rick's presence was required at the hospital where his mother is seriously ill.

The veteran team of Len Macdougall and Andy Turnbull of Fanshawe also had their good moments, especially with great downwind speed, but had just enough screw-ups to miss the "medals".

And a warm welcome to St. Thomas Wayfarer newcomers, Sam and David Magri, who decided to give racing a try on the Saturday. Sam and David, if you should happen to read this, feel free to get in touch with our Membership Secretary, Kit Wallace at kitwallace@aei.net so that he can sign you up for the year's free CWA membership as new owners.

The eagle-eyed among you may have noted the Uncle Al did not sail the 2003 June Bug - one of the rare times he's missed the June Bug racing since its inception in 1970. After planning to leave for the June Bug at 0600 on Saturday morning, Uncle Al had a health scare late Friday night. Julia had to whisk him off to hospital just after midnight when Al became disoriented (something that doesn't usually occur until he's trying to track shifts on Fanshawe!) A series of tests produced no obvious cause and Al was advised to make a Monday appointment with his family doctor and get further tests done. Meanwhile, the doctor at Emergency told Al, "Go home and have a normal weekend." "Ah, great," replied Al, "so I can race?" The doctor got an odd look on her face and allowed that perhaps racing a small sailboat this weekend might not be such a hot idea.

(Uncle Al medical update: Uncle Al has a series of tests scheduled over the next two months, but given the evidence in thus far, the specialist thinks it was not a TIA - precursor of a stroke - but rather TGA (Transient General Amnesia) which, according to the doctor, is a precursor of "nothing" that they know of, i.e. harmless, if weird). 

So, after a restful and relaxed Saturday in Oakville, Julia, Joanna and I left early on the misty Sunday to at least enjoy the June Bug atmosphere - which we did. And while we were at it, Joanna and I gave the CWA digital camera a real workout, taking nearly 400 pictures of the day's racing. A lovely weekend. Too bad more people didn't show up to enjoy it!!