Bruce Millar Wins 2015 North American Championship

Fifteen competitors attended the 2015 North American Championship hosted by Nepean Sailing Club, Ottawa, Ontario, on July 24-26. This annual event is held in either Canada or the United States with the two countries switching off every other year.

Fifteen competitors attended the 2015 North American Championship hosted by Nepean Sailing Club, Ottawa, Ontario, on July 24-26. This annual event is held in either Canada or the United States with the two countries switching off every other year. The fleet was made up of eleven Canadian and four US racers with the Canadians filling the top four finishing positions. Seven races were completed with five on Saturday and two races Sunday.

2015 Newport Regatta

2015 is the third year in recent history 2.4mRs have raced in the Newport Regatta hosted by Sail Newport. Once again we got off a lot of short races where a good start and boat on boat tactics were the order of the day.

2015 is the third year in recent history 2.4mRs have raced in the Newport Regatta hosted by Sail Newport.
2015 is the third year in recent history 2.4mRs have raced in the Newport Regatta hosted by Sail Newport.

2015 is the third year in recent history 2.4mRs have raced in the Newport Regatta hosted by Sail Newport.  Once again we got off a lot of short races where a good start and boat on boat tactics were the order of the day.

Newport’s typically reliable winds were fighting a Northerly early on Saturday and kept us waiting on the water after the first race.  After an hour or so Newport’s fans starting turning and we were able to complete eleven races in two  days.  Dee Smith once again led the way winning ten of eleven races.

The 13th Annual Clagett Regatta is in the books!

Dee Smith continues to dominate US events during his campaign to the 2016 Paralympics in Rio. Eleven races and eleven bullets in three days of racing during the 13th Annual Clagett Regatta.

Dee Smith continues to dominate US events during his campaign to the 2016 Paralympics in Rio.
Dee Smith continues to dominate US events during his campaign to the 2016 Paralympics in Rio.

Dee Smith continues to dominate US events during his campaign to the 2016 Paralympics in Rio. Eleven races and eleven bullets in three days of racing during the 13th Annual Clagett Regatta. Dee’s enjoying a new challenge and applying knowledge gained during his continuing career as a professional big boat sailor to racing the 2.4mR. To paraphrase Bill Shore once again coaching 2.4mRs at this year’s Clagett, “Dee doesn’t make any mistakes. We’ll be watching from the coach boat and saying ‘he should tack’, and Dee tacks”.

Good Luck Dee!

2015 Leukemia Cup Regatta

We had a successful event March 12-14 out of the Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club in Charlotte Harbor. The weather was beautiful (even by Florida standards, and the people who spent last six weeks freezing up north have a much lower bar) and the fifteen participants enjoyed it.

Reaching to the offset mark…
Reaching to the offset mark…
Regatta winner Dee Smith
Regatta winner Dee Smith

We had a successful event March 12-14 out of the Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club in Charlotte Harbor. The weather was beautiful (even by Florida standards, and the people who spent last six weeks freezing up north have a much lower bar) and the fifteen participants enjoyed it.

Bill Shore organized and coached on the 12th and 13th starting with a morning “chalk talk” then some on the water drills for speed and boat handling and practice racing each day. Mark Bryant and Randy Shore also helped on the water.

On Saturday the 14th everyone participated in the Leukemia Cup regatta held for 2.4mR’s just off the CHYC. After five short races newcomer Dee Smith won handily, showing that when you have top keelboat skills they transfer well to the 2.4.mR, followed by Charlie Rosenfield and Danny Evans. Tony Pocklington had a strong start in the first three races but then had a breakdown.

It was great to see a number of new people making up the fleet, and the growth of the class in Port Charlotte is very encouraging. Hopefully as more people see the number of boats out there and experience sailing the 2.4mR growth will continue

Thanks to the Charlotte Harbor YC, Tony Pocklington, Dennis Peck, US Sailing, and all the others who made this great event happen.

Charlotte Harbor Regatta

Charlotte Harbor Regatta saw a great turnout of 2.4mr boats in that class. This year there were 91 registered boats in the regatta in twelve classes with the 2.4mr’s being 3rd biggest class.

Charlotte Harbor Regatta saw a great turnout of 2.4mr boats in that class. This year there were 91 registered boats in the regatta in twelve classes with the 2.4mr’s being 3rd biggest class. 82 of the registered boats competed, eleven boats were missing from the action and man did they miss it. Way to go guys, you really turned the heads of the regatta committee with the turnout for the regatta. Talk about separate fleet if this kind of turn out continues. Yes we could use that. This shows the strength of the class as it grows.

Winds were challenging as they shifted on the course, nothing new for Charlotte Harbor. First day had great conditions other than starting out a little on the cool side but shortly warmed up to a nice day.

Winds were challenging as they shifted on the course, nothing new for Charlotte Harbor. First day had great conditions other than starting out a little on the cool side but shortly warmed up to a nice day.
Winds were challenging as they shifted on the course, nothing new for Charlotte Harbor. First day had great conditions other than starting out a little on the cool side but shortly warmed up to a nice day.

Competition was close as for the most part with competitors changing positions several times on the course. Sailing was great but better yet was the time spent with each other getting boats ready and then talking about the regatta and other things.

I myself had a great time and was able to just sit back and enjoy the class as a sailing community.

Now for the good stuff, Tim Ripley took the first place honor for the class followed very close by Tony Pocklington. There were only three points that separated the first three places. With Tim holding the first spot and Tony breaking the tie between him and Peter Eagar. Way to go Tim and the rest of the guys. Final Results

Next regatta here for the 2.4mr left in the area will be March 14 in the Leukemia Cup, which will provide a separate circle for the 2.4mrs. Calling any 2.4mr sailor in the area and from afar that might just still like this warmer climate. – Dennis Peck