Jennifer Harker writes: Day 5 saw the 5.5M flag that flies at Midland Bay Sailing Club during the North American Regatta snapping in the breeze, promising better winds at last.
To celebrate 10 boats in the 10th year of the North American 5.5M Regatta boats and crews lined up for a pre-race photo (Credit: Eugene Kokbas)
The final day of racing brought some unique moments including Firestorm’s foredeck crew Tal Hutcheson demonstrating exceptional sportsmanship by going swimming to clear weeds from the three evolution rudders before the start of race one; Eugene Kokbas going up Nantoria’s mast in the middle of the bay to fix a halyard issue between races; and the fleet lining up the boats for a fantastic photo op before the day’s racing – which may have contributed to the weed issues, but makes for a fabulous photo.
Jill CAN 11 had a fantastic day with two firsts and a second. Skipper Bryan Gooderham said, “It really was a better day. Some of the lighter air has been so frustrating. I don’t feel master of my own destiny. The boat likes better air. Today we had adequate starts, not stellar but we could hold the lane and go more or less where we wanted to go. We had good crew work today with some difficult moments coming into marks with traffic. Mikey is a huge help to me, she is my eyes, we’ve sailed on so many boats together over decades, I trust her, and it makes for a pretty good team.”
Pride USA 31 ended the regatta on a good note as well sailing into a strong fourth in the final race of the day. Skipper Joe Strelow said, “Today was definitely the best. Pride really needs that kind of wind. Today was a ton of fun.”
Matt Thurley on Summer School CAN 31 also had a strong start to the day with a second place finish. “We did quite well in some, quite poorly in others. One small mistake knocks you from second to seventh. The North American fleet is getting much strong and the aggression was there. With my lovely boat I don’t want to bump her, but when you’re not aggressive you lose positions, especially at the mark. There is more and more competition each year which is fantastic.” As a new co-owner of Summer School with American Joe Lambert, Thurley said there will be some work to do over the winter. “Boats always need something,” he said good-naturedly.
The evolutions had a blast duking it out around the buoys. Firestorm’s skipper William Turner said, “It was a great day. We had Firestorm’s favourite conditions today with the breezes up. The first race we mixed it up with Dan in a tacking duel. The third race we rounded the mark and stayed in front of John because you can’t cover both. In the middle of all that we sailed through a hole and it was Mavi for the win.”
In the end Firestorm would finish the regatta in top spot for the evolutions followed by Jalapena and O’Kelly while the classics were led by Mavi in first, then Purple Haze and Nantoria with a tie, and Jill, Summer, Summer School and Pride rounding out the standings.
Full regatta results can be found here https://www.sailwave.com/results/MBSC-2023%205-5%20North%20American%20Summer%20Regatta.htm
The North American 5.5M group appreciates the host community and likes to give back. Last year they raised money for the local hospital and this past spring for the Midland Bay Sailing Club’s sailing school.
Throughout the week of racing sailors bought tickets for a draw to win a charcuterie board made by volunteer Jim Hanmore with the 5.5 logo. In total $1040 was raised to support Atlantic Challenge Canada. ACC trains youth to sail and row and the Midland-based group will head to Maine, USA next summer for the International Contest of Seamanship with youth from over a dozen countries. Truly our 5.5M racers are the best.
At the end of the day Tal Hutcheson reflected on the whole regatta. “I think of the owners here and the history we have preserved, saving these boats from the scrapbook of history. Thank you for keeping the dream alive.”
Day 5 finally delivered strong breezes for tight racing.
In the middle of the bay Eugene Kokbas went up Nantoria’s mast between Race 2 and 3 to fix a halyard issue and make it to the start and turn in a fine third place performance.
Giving back to the community: Jason Williams (left) from Jill CAN 11 won the fundraising raffle for the charcuterie board created by volunteer Jim Hanmore. The fleet raised $1040 for Atlantic Challenge Canada, a local youth sailing and rowing organization that will head to Maine, USA next year for an International Contest of Seamanship.