Category: News & Announcements

Last week 64 Boats competed for the International 2.4 Meter World Championship in Tampere Finland. The fleet sailed 10 races with 2 throw outs.

There were 6 North American sailors in Tampere for the event in including Jackie Gay, Tony Pocklington, Julio Reguero, John Seepe, Colin Smith and Rudy Trejo.

Here are some quick thoughts from some of the competitors:

” This was a  wonderful time. Established 125 years ago, Nasijarvi sailing club did a great job with the event. Racing, food, and the beer fridge were spot on. The sailing was very competitive throughout the fleet. I was racing a new NMKIII OD 2.4mr Charger, delivered to me at the event. The boat was fantastic, unfortunately my sailing was not. I’ll be leaving the boat here in Europe, already looking forward to the 2024 2.4mr Open World Championships in Germany. “

“ Fabulous opportunity to sail against 60 other boats.    There was a lot of fun and action with no lost time racing due to winds so everyone got 2 throughouts and 10 races.    Old sailors, young sailors, amateurs, professionals, able-bodied, and handicapped all mixed together with a ton of them really competitive but very friendly.    Water wasn’t too cold but everyone was wearing drysuits.    The area and lake were strikingly beautiful.    Club was great with lots of room for trailers, cars, and camping vans.    Great having 4 sailors from the USA Class there.     We will be attending next year’s in Kiel Germany! “

“The support and hospitality from the hosts was outstanding. Rickard, Marko and Nico with others went above and beyond in prepping boats and making repairs. Virtually all of the racing was in heavier air with a short steep chop.”

“Was a great sailing venue. Big learning curve. Always fun meeting new friends and old. Unfortunately I’m hooked and plan to be in Germany next year.”

July 9, 2023 – Rockport Mass.

Rockport Massachusetts is a beautiful place. You might not know that if you you sailed there this past weekend.  Pea Soup fog made sailing tough, but the Race Committee was able to get 6 races in over the 3 day event for the 14 competitors.

Day 1 conditions were a lovely southwester 15-20 knots challenged the 14 boat fleet. Three W/L races with a start-finish in the middle were completed.  There were three different winners. The fleet was treated to a nice Lobster Rolls for dinner.

Day 2 dawned  with pea soup fog.  After a shoreside postponement  the fleet went out for two light air races.   Both races were W/L with a start-finish in the middle with different winners. Back ashore, the fleet was treated to a a mixed grill barbecue with a lovely peach cobbler desert.

Day 3 felt like deja vu. Fog postponement again. The fleet went out and got one race in between fog banks.

Congratulations to Johan Koppernaes, Rudy Trejo and Charlie Rosenfield for their podium finishes.

Apr 27, 2023 The Yanks are Going! – Wheelchairs Rolling to The Hague

As part of the Allianz World Sailing Championship (WSC) this August at The Hague, US Sailing has selected a team of American sailors with a disability to represent the United States in all four Para Sailing classes.   World Sailing is bringing together all of the Olympic classes and Para Sailing classes Aug 8-20, 2023 for this historic event where, for the first time, the Para Classes will be sailing world championships alongside their Olympic counterparts. Approximately 1,500 sailors are expected.  This event is a major stop on the road to the Paris 2024 games and is one of the biggest international events on the Para Sailing calendar. Full tracking by SAS will be happening each day of the championship so you can easily follow the sailors online during this event!

The team will be led by  5 time Rolex Yachtswomen of the year Betsy Alison sailing in the Hansa 303 – women’s division. 2008  Paralympic Gold medal winner Maureen McKinnon is also on the team sailing in the RS Venture Connect. These amazing women are joined by John Seepe – 2.4 Meter, Jim Thweatt – Hansa 303 – men’s division and Shan McAdoo – RS Venture Connect.

This effort is being mostly self funded by the participants. The team has put together a web site with pictures and bios here:  https://sites.google.com/view/us-para-2023-sailing. The team is seeking any tax deductible contribution you can provide through the KMAC Foundation.

4/2/2023 – Port  Charlotte Fl.

The 2023 CanAm Series concluded this past week in Port Charlotte. As usual the officers, members and staff of the Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club did a magnificent job hosting the 28 competitors over Events 4 and 5 of the series.

The sailing conditions were ideal with winds from 6-15 knots. The RC was able to put together 5 days of racing in the warm 80+ degree weather.

In the end, CanAm Event 4 ended with Bruce Millar, Jeff Linton and Allen Liebel on the podium.  CanAm Event 5 concluded with Jeff Linton, Rudy Trejo and Bruce Millar in the top 3 spots.

The sailing moves north with an Event at the Tred Avon Yacht Club later this month (April 28-30)   and a full summer schedule in New England, Chicago and Canada.

These events featured 4 newcomers and many returnees commenting on how open and welcoming the class is.