This regatta is an open invitation to all fleets so was also attended by a large fleet of Lasers and Laser Radial sailboats as well as a few differing keel boats.  It was really nice to see a great turn-out with so many boats on the water. Six visiting Wayfarer Sailors set up their boats on a breezy, cloudy, but surprisingly warm Saturday morninat Fanshawe Lake on Sept 28th.  The weather forecast for the next two days was for strong gusty winds from the East, all thanks to the effect of the north-moving remnants of Hurricane Helene.

The first day’s wind was ESE at a strong clip of 10 knot winds gusting to 20 knots. Wind on the lake was extremely gusty and shifty providing a continual challenge. Those who controlled the gusts benefited as the swirling wind gusts continued to change with each beat.

We noticed John Koetsier standing for a few spinnaker runs and later learned that their spinnaker pole broke having John and Ross Thompson both working to sail the spinnaker runs together. It seemed to work in their favour as they took first place in 3 of the 4 Saturday races.  The other first place victory on Saturday went to defending champions, Mike & Lee Codd. The races were tight finishes with little time between finishes.

Sunday winds were slightly calmer and from the northeast, yet consistently gusty with intermittent shifts.  With four more races run in total, the series became a two-drop series. Sunday racing proved to be rather interesting as the first-place boats finished well ahead, leaving the other boats finishing within minutes of each other.  Sunday racing had Leo & Joanne Van Kampen move into the series lead after capturing first place in races one and three, only to have Team Thompson's last-race 2nd over the Van Kampen 4th give Ross and John the 2024 title. Robert Wierdsma and crew Jan d’Ailly took first in race 2, and Scott Ramsay with crew Les Sherratt nailing first for the final race of the day.

Special mention goes out to Paul DiCiccio and crew, Madi Weber, who borrowed a MK IV for the regatta.  This was the first time sailing in a Wayfarer for Madi and Paul's  first regatta as a Wayfarer helm.  (Paul and Madi own and sail a beautiful Buccaneer and are members of the Conestoga Sailing Club).

The Pumpkin Regatta is a favourite for so many reasons. We appreciate the true hospitality and well-organized club volunteers of the Fanshawe Yacht Club. Both lunch and a delectable dinner were provided to all sailors and guests as part of the registration.   The amazing turkey dinner certainly caps off a great weekend of socializing and sailing.  Awards were presented as sailors enjoyed Sunday lunch in the clubhouse. Special thanks to the race committee teams for efficiently running eight races and all the volunteers that came together to host this terrific regatta.

Leo and Joanne Van Kampen W11339       

(l to r) Lee Codd, Mike Codd, PRO John Kabel. The defending champs, Mike and Lee placed 3rd this year.



Very close runners-up this year were Conestoga's Leo Van Kampen and wife, Joanne.



2024 Pumpkin Wayfarer champions and winners of the George Blachard  Red Top Award were Mississauga's Ross Thompson and John Koetsier (l).

the Wayfarer medallists for 2024 with the Regatta Chair, John Kabel

- larger image here