Bedford's Labour Day Regatta.

"As a native of St.Pierre and Miquelon, I always feel at home when visiting Nova-Scotia's Bedford Yacht Club. All the sailor kids of my island often came here for dinghy racing and I can even see the old burgee of our tiny yacht club on the wall !!!" said Skipper Philippe Paturel after winning by only 0.5 pts this last Labour Day Week End Regatta in Bedford.

"It's so friendly! And warm!" But seriously: Like in St.Pierre, the volunteers from the BYC know how to treat their guests sailors welcoming them with the best eggs benedict you'll ever find on the planet and all sorts of other goodies !

On the water, thanks to Race Director Matt Christie, we had a blast racing in the Basin. The wind averaged 12 to 15 kts with gust at 19, sun shine, warm temperature and flat sea. All races were hotly contested as the first 3 boats finished within 0.5 points by the end of the regatta !

For the crew of CIAO! it was a very good warm up for the coming Prince of Wales Trophy and Wenonah Cup that will be held at the Royal Nova-Scotia Yacht Squadron this week end. "We won the Prince of Wales Trophy last year on our A35" precised Paturel, "and we hope to keep the title on our records with our new Archambault A40rc this year !".

Results of Bedford Labour Day Regatta

- 1st / CIAO! : 7.5 pts (3-2-2.5)

- 2nd / RUSH : 8.0 pts (6-1-1)

- 3rd / STARFIRE : 8.0 pts (1-3-4)

Thanks to all crew on CIAO! : Luke Porter-Bow (CND) - Andrew Lordley-Flyer (CND) - Derek Mason-Mast (CND) - Daniel-Mast (CND) - Fabrice Cambray-Winch (FR) - Chelsea Davidson-Pitt (CND) - Phil Hay-Trim (CND) - Ann Acland-Trim (CND) - Eric Holden-Trim-Main (CND) - Graham Roy-Main (CND) - Philippe Paturel-Helm (FR).

Photo : Tanya Reynolds / www.tanyareynolds.ca