The forecast gale hadn’t built when 114 boats started the Round the County Race on Nov. 7 at Lydia Shoal, but by the time the fleet reached Clark Island the wind was gusting to 35. As the fleet turned to a more downwind angle most boats hoisted their colorful spinnakers and rocketed along the northern boundary to Patos Island. From there it was a long reach to Turn Point, but the Dahl Porpoise came out to play with part of the fleet. From there it was a beat to Roche Harbor our stop for the night.

The next day was a total contrast as the start line barely had a breeze. Huge advantage went to the boats that could escape, and reach the windline in Haro Strait. For those boats it was one long tack to Salmon Bank, and continuing around Lopez to Rosario Strait. Here the lead boats got a brief chance to launch spinnakers again, but the wind continued to move around to the north, and they finished the second day on a beat at Deer Point.

Division 3 of the race was won by sailors from Orcas Island Yacht Club. Time Bandit, the powerful J120 owned by Bob and Barb Brunius, finished first in division one, Ptolemy, owned by Eric Moulton and co-skippered by “The Brackett Brothers,” won division two and Jimmy and Robin Roser sailing Chinook won division 4. For complete results, visit roundthecounty.com.