My Photos
The Eugene Yacht Club was established in 1940 and since then teams of sailors have raced the waters of Fern Ridge Reservoir. On Thursday evening, May 2, 2024, the teams set out for their 5th race of the season.
Ted Walkup, on the 2024 EYC Race Chair, has been sailing since 1974. He is sailing on his boat, The Grit, with his two other teammates, eager to finish this week's race course.
Pictured left to right, Ted Walkup, Bob Bush, and Sterling Bush, race to the first buoy on their course to the finish line. Wind pushing against them, they used the “tacking” technique, a slow turn to support their momentum.
On a fleet sailboat there are usually 7 ropes that maneuver and help the sailors through harsh wind and into smooth sailing. The mainsail is called the halyard and the downhaul brings down the line.
Sailboats can weigh up to 4,000 pounds and to get on and off his boat, Ted has to pull the sailboat towards him and hop off. To get his boat into the water, Ted uses a crane which can hold up to 5,000 pounds.