Skippers test the winds and jockey around the starting line while waiting for the horn to begin the first race of the weekend at the Labor Day Regatta near Lakeside. World Photo by Lou Sennick.

LAKESIDE — The weekend saw clear skies and smooth sailing as the Coos Bay Yacht Club held its 58th Annual Labor Day Regatta at Tenmile Lake in Lakeside last Saturday and Sunday.

“Saturday, we had the best winds I’ve seen on the lake since I’ve been coming here,” race Coordinator Thad Vincent said.

While the surface conditions were near perfect, conditions in the lake were less so.

“I’ve never seen this much weed growth,” regatta registration chairwoman and competitor Claudia Moore said. “You really have to be careful not to get tangled in it. It can really slow you down.”

While Saturday was a perfect day for sailing, according to most of the competitors, Sunday was a little less predictable.

“The winds were rather fluky,” competitor Sam Roth said. “But I thought it was a great success with sailors from Oregon, Washington and Canada participating. Tenmile Lakes are such a wonderful recreational resource that many out-of-the-area sailors like to sail at the Coos Bay Yacht Club.”

The event consisted of five races over the two days on courses that ranged from 2 to 5 miles.

Competitors were not told what course would be run until right before the race.

The winners were decided on best combined finishes in all five races.

In the San Juan 21 Fleet division, with 16 boats racing, there were six trophies awarded.

 First place went to Tom and Deborah McAndrew, second place to Oscar and John Barney, third place to Jon and Kathy Richards, fourth place to Butch Gulseth and Martin Callery, fifth place to Tom Kyle and Mike Kyle and sixth place to Brian and Lynn Gunnari.

In the MC Scow Fleet division, with seven boats racing, there were three trophies given, including: first place to Jim and Claudia Moore, second place to Paul Harlan and third place to Jerry andChris Hogue

In the Geary 18 Fleet, with 12 boats racing, there were five trophies given, including: first place to Tom and Anjo Mills, second place to Mike Rhodde, third place to Tim Mills, fourth place to Thad Vincent and fifth place to Sean and Jessica Randle

In the Laser Fleet division, with four boats racing, there were two trophies given. First place went to James Clevenburg and second place to Emily Vincent.

“It was a really a fun event this year with 42 boats competing,” Moore said. “I’ve been sailing here since 1970 and we always look forward to this event. It’s sort of the highlight of the year.”

The club holds a number of races and other events throughout the year, including sailing schools for adults and juniors, and monthly gatherings of the members.

To learn more about the CoosBay Yacht Club and its various activities, those interested can check out the group’s Web page at www.coosbayyachtclub.org.