Mottl, Rodenberger are Round the County sail winners

Ginny, skippered by Orcas islander Charles Mottl, won in Division One, while Saltheat Foamfollower, skippered by fellow islander Jeff Rodenberger, was the victor in Division Three of the 14th annual Round the County sailboat race Nov. 10-11.

Other Orcas islanders who did well were Jack Shannon and Betsy Wareham. They finished second aboard Tranquillite in Division One. Bob Brunius, skipper of Time Bandit, was fourth, also in Division One. Division One boats are rated the fastest, and so forth down the line.

But much of the talk during this popular annual event centered on the wind, or. the lack of it. There was so little wind both days that none of the 53 boats finished the long courses Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s portion of the race was supposed to go from Lydia Shoal to Roche Harbor. But none of the boats were able to sail that far, so their times to Patos Island were recorded instead. It was the same story Sunday. The long course was supposed to take the sailors Sunday from Roche Harbor to the Orcas Island Yacht Club in West Sound, but they made it only as far as the Salmon Bank Buoy, by Cattle Pass.

Despite the lack of wind, the 53 skippers and their crew members all enjoyed themselves, according to West Sound Marina’s Betsy Wareham, who helped organize the event, and who described the event as “very exciting.” The race ended with dinner and an awards ceremony Sunday night at the Orcas Island Yacht Club.

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