The following is a cover letter sent with the 1977 Toliva Race results.
In spite of the generally light and flukey winds the Toliva Shoal weekend seemed to be an overall success. If you came down on Friday you saw some of the best winter sailing Puget Sound has to offer. Friday night provided ample chance to get reacquainted with old friends and competitors and take on a few bets. Hope you enjoyed the beer and chili as much as we did.
Some we talked to couldn’t believe that the breakfast crew was all sailors and many were racing. Considering the crowd and the rush to avoid delaying the start, it seemed to come off very well. Too bad we had to delay anyway. Everyone seemed to sense that those starts were survival situations and no place to get up tight about right-of-way. They came off amazingly well under the conditions (and considering 136 starters). Unfortunately the delay cost most of us a tide, but it’s hard for a committee boat to have a fair start when they can’t see the other end of the line.
The spirit in that Dana Passage “demolition derby” was something to behold. We saw everything from raft-up parties to impromptu swimming and funnelator battles. Considering the number of near misses there were relatively few collisions and apparently no serious damage. It was a relief to get moving again at dark though. Those who chose to gamble on making Balch before the flood [you were allowed to go around Anderson Island either way then] had to be quick and quite a few weren’t quick enough. Those going Nisqually were rewarded by a wind shifting to southerly and, after rounding, got squirted through the dreaded “Eagle Island Hole” on the tide. After all the drifting, those pre-dawn squalls were almost a relief. Unfortunately, there were still many holes to come for those of us who were pushing the cut-off time [I believe that was 24 hours then, but it might have been 26]. Amazingly enough, 44 finished.
All in all it seemed a successful weekend, and we thank you for coming down to join us. A race committee can provide the stage but only the competitors can set the tone of a race. The tone this year was fun in spite of some frustrations. Next year’s committee guarantees wind, but just in case, we are recommending provision for shortening the course at Itsami Ledge.
See you on Washington’s Birthday!
Co-chairmen,
1977 Toliva Shoal Race
[Steve Altmeyer/ Jerry Thorsen]