The first Saturday in May, happy boating enthusiasts Maudie Lucas, Carol Ptak, John Glennon, and Peg Bingham enjoyed the annual Opening Day of Boating breakfast at the Longbranch Improvement Club’s dock on Filucy Bay. It was also the occasion for the “Any Direction Race,” in which sailboat competitors exercise “skipper’s choice” to circumnavigate either Eagle Island or Anderson Island before returning to the marina for trophies, awarded to the first three of five winners. The first place winner’s name goes on the Perpetual Trophy plaque.

Mark Jones, LIC marina dock master, reported that Derek Heib aboard “Flash Friday” took first place, Dylan Lippert was second in “V-21,” and Pat Thompson took third in “Lavender Bleu.” Jones laughed that no one finished the race.

“They were fighting the tides throughout the day, and there was no wind,” he said. The 11-foot tide was moving them all toward Olympia - and that’s definitely not where the finish line was located.

“When the racers finally returned to the dock, they were greeted with the terrific music of Mark Runyans’ band, Jazz Musette,” Jones said.

“We had 20 boats registered, the largest number ever despite the fact that several sailors went to Seattle for opening day there. All in all, it was a great day.”

©Copyright 2005-2008, Key Peninsula News, all rights reserved.