Avast! An ocean race, arghhhh

The Calnons complete their first ocean sailboat race

By John Brewington

The South County Spotlight, Aug 18, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

RAVEN—The Calnon’s 35-foot sailboat recently completed her first ocean racing test.

Submitted photo / The South County Spotlight

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It wasn’t a transoceanic endeavor, but it wasn’t a moonlight sonata either.

Rick and Libby Calnon of Columbia City competed in their first ocean race earlier this month, racing from Astoria to Newport in the “Bridge to Bridge” race put on by the Yaquina Bay Yacht Club.

Rick has been sailing around the St. Helens area for around 30 years. He took up interest at an early age through his parents, former owners of the St. Helens Marina. He got his first sailboat in high school. Libby’s interest in sailing developed upon meeting Rick. “Rick has been sailing and racing in St. Helens for 30 years. I didn’t start until Rick and I started dating. If fact, one of our first dates was sailing.”

All of their races and trips have been in the Columbia River. Racing in the ocean seemed a little more formidable.

“I’ve never been on a sailboat in the ocean,” Libby said. “I’ve been halibut fishing, but have never sailed on it.”

The duo have been fixtures on the local racing scene for a number of years. They purchased a W.D. Shock Santana 35 in 2003. The “35” refers to the length of their sailboat—Santana is the model. W.D. Shock the builder.

When they race locally, they have a crew of seven or eight. She chuckled about a full crew at a couples race in Portland: “That’s a little chaotic. I think they allow it so couples can yell at one another and the race committee can have fun laughing at them,”

For the ocean race, the Calnons signed up Rick’s son, Rich, brother Jim, and friend Doug Pihlaja. A crew of five, including Rick and Libby seemed about right.

The race was from Astoria to Newport, about 100 miles. Some 20 boats were expected. Libby said there were at least 12, but she didn’t have an official count.

This was no S.S. Minnow and no a three-hour tour.

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