Race Dedicated In Kelly O'Neil's Memory

"Kelly O'Neil Henson was one of the great ones!! Kelly was a fixture of Swiftsure races..." read the Swiftsure International Yacht Race Committee sentiments on this year's official race website.

In fact, Kelly and her oldest brother Willy, began their association with the Swiftsure Regatta back in the mid 1970's. Willy raced with Dr. Hugh Minor aboard En Passant and Kelly crewed with Julian "Pete" Dewell aboard Spinster. They sailed many races.

Kelly spent the last 15 years or more photographing each race. It wasn't hard to spot her as she expertly maneuvered her inflatable boat in and around the racing fleet at top speed, with her golden retriever "Whidbey" at her side. Fair weather or foul, she would toss handfuls of Hershey's Kisses to grateful sailboat crews and take spectacular action photos. Among her many accolades, Kelly was very proud to receive the Jim McVie-Humphrey Golby Memorial Award for her work not only behind the camera but behind the scenes at Swiftsure.

Swiftsure Publicity & Promotion Chair Mike Nusbaum said: "Kelly was very much a part of our team, part of the soul of Swiftsure. Each year Kelly generously provided her photos to the Committee to assist with publicity. She always welcomed Committee members to accompany her over the years aboard her inflatable Smile, facilitating on-the-water radio and TV coverage and exceptional spotting/reporting of yacht positions. Kelly herself contributed expert commentary over the airwaves to the anxious spectators on the shore."

Kelly's untimely death in March shocked and saddened the entire sailing community of the Pacific Northwest. For countless reasons she had found her way into the hearts of so many.

"But most of all we will miss her zest for life - she set an example for all of us to learn from," the official website message continued, "To honour Kelly's many contributions over the years, the 2004 Swiftsure Race will be dedicated to her memory."

The 2004 Swiftsure International Yacht Race

The 61st running of the Swiftsure International Yacht Race started off in 10-knot westerly winds off of Victoria's Clover Point Saturday morning. The race offered unpredictable variations of wind and current throughout the competition, winding up with winds of 25-knots and higher at the finish on Sunday.

When the long course boats rounded the mark "It was a sloppy mess out there", commented Neptune's Car skipper. "We blew up two spinnakers, which left us with one." Crew members reported that the waves "were coming at us as if we were going up wind. On top of that, the big shock waves would load up and then unload, making for a really messy ride." Once they passed Neah Bay on the way back in, light air conditions taunted them all night long.

A number of yachts withdrew during Saturday night, where very calm winds kept the competitors constantly seeking back eddy currents along the Canadian and American shores.

"Those who persisted through the night were rewarded with a very fast downhill ride to the finish line, as excited crews took advantage of the freshening winds that arrived by early morning," said Race Chair Conconi.

First to finish in the Swiftsure Lightship Classic Race (the long course) was the 65-foot custom Bob Perry design sloop Icon - owned by Seattle Yacht Club member Dick Robbins. When all the results were in, Icon had won it's division, class and the race overall - a Clean Sweep!

"We can't wait to return to Victoria for Swiftsure 2005," Robbins exclaimed. Robbins plans to enter Icon in the Pacific Cup this summer and appears to be in top shape for that upcoming competition. The "woody" division was won by the beautiful 1934 Swiftsure champion Circe, skippered by Dave Maeser.

SYC Result Summary

Swiftsure Lightship Classic Race (long course) - With 12 finishers in a fleet of 26, the Swiftsure Lightship Classic was a war of attrition - producing significant scores for Seattle Yacht Club in 2004

Racing in Division A, Dick Robbins' 65' custom Bob Perry design Icon took top honors. Marda Phelps' 52' Santa Cruz Marda Gras took third place in Division B.

The Division C winner was Night Runner - Doug Fryer expertly sailed his 42' custom Bob Perry design cutter around the lightship to take first in its division and place third overall in the race.

Cape Flattery Race Class (the mark is at Neah Bay) - The dash for Cape Flattery was very competitive and had a much greater percentage of finishers. Jim Marta's Tripp 40 Snake Oil finished with a respectable third place in Division F. The Express 37 boats dominated Division G, Declaration of Independence captured second place and Gerry Henson's Request took fifth.

Rear Commodore Chris Otorowski raced his Swan 39, Rocket J. Squirrel in Division J and came home with second place. Word is that our Commodore Roger Werner was a member of the crew.

In the Cal 40 division, Peter Schmidt brought Olympian across the line just ahead of Lee Rogge aboard Spectre with a sixth and seventh place respectively in Division L.