CanAm 3 – Edge Midwinters wrap up

Feb 21, 2022
Story by John Seepe
Photos by Tina Weida

Wow, CanAm #3 Regatta (Edge Mid-Winter), at Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club over this last weekend (Feb 19 & 20) did not disappoint!     We finally got out some of the North American top 2.4mR sailors.    Sailors from British Columbia, Seattle, Toronto, Massachusetts, and down the East Coast coming together for the best gathering since the 2020 CanAm Series.   So good to see familiar faces and some new ones.

Fast upwind at Can Am 3 – Edge Midwinters
Upwind and downwind at Can Am 3 / Edge Midwinters

Winds were good, starting off light and shifty, with our first two races being really the worst in that regard, but the rest got better and better.     The shifts were significant enough that we actually had a reaching leg and a downwind leg that turned into a reaching leg.     Sailors just had to work things out and figure their lines going all out for the win.

Two boats competed that were rigged with a Jib Boom versus the normal free-floating jib.    Each found themselves competitive among the standard boats with one being sailed for the first time by a Clagett Boat Grant recipient.    Two Clagett Boats competed in this regatta.

Bruce Millar makes the Jib Boom look good in Port Charlotte

The last day in the Regatta, started off with a larger sailboat running aground, mid-channel, blocking the harbor entrance so the fleet’s start was a few minutes late as each sailor had to sneak by the grounded boat to reach clear water.     By the last race, all the boats were closely matched with all the boats finishing 5 legs within a few minutes of each other.

Sailors faced broken pumps, backstays, and steering so maybe more focus will be placed upon boat maintenance etc.    Some of the competitor’s boat had not been sailed since before the lockdowns so it was awesome to see things returning to normal as more Canadians joined in this event.

Heading to the Leeward gate in Port Charlotte

Even if you didn’t take away any of the prizes you walked away with friendships and maybe a few lessons on what to do or not do in the next races.    1st place went to Dee Smith from Annapolis, 2nd Place Allan Leibel from Toronto, and 3rd Place to Bruce Millar from Victoria, British Columbia with 15 boats on the water!     Got some time on your hands?   Look these guys up on Google and you are competing against some solid sailors, but they are happy to share their knowledge with everyone.

Dee Smith Bio

Allen Leibel Bio

Bruce Millar Bio

The last 2 Regattas in the CanAm Series are at the end of March and should be quite interesting events.   Should have over 20 top sailors battling it out on the water.   If you want to get out in an exciting boat with a friendly fleet where the great sailors are not afraid to answer questions and train up the newer less experienced sailors, then this is the fleet.

Looking for a boat to sail competitively?   Something small needing only one person?    Something inexpensive to campaign?    A sailboat that is easy to tow and which is fun?   One that sails like an America’s Cup boat (non-foiling that is!).    Come check us out and see about getting yourself into one of these to test out.    All are welcome, but this is not a starter boat so must at least know how to sail before jumping into one.    See you on the water in Port Charlotte!

Clagett Regatta

Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club

Complete Results

Game On in Port Charlotte

Game On in Port Charlotte

Text by John Seepe

Photos Tina Weida and Fran Nasher

January 31, 2022

The largest gathering of 2.4mR sailors just occurred in “sunny” Florida during the CanAm #1 and CanAm #2 Regattas.     18 boats were battling it out on the starting line with some new faces among the regular fleet members.

The new faces had their hands full learning the boats and were warmly received by all.    Sailors and observers commented how the fleet members and club volunteers worked together making boats faster and getting individuals on the course.    It was good to have the volunteers, staff, and friends/family working together to make these events be the best possible.

On the water the competition was there, and winds cooperated to get 5 races in CanAm #1 and 7 races in CanAM #2.    The race committee set marks and set up the courses to provide good opportunities for testing the sailor’s skills.     It was very apparent during the last race of CanAm #2 that the fleet was already getting much tighter as all the boats were significantly closer at the end of 4 legs then when CanAm #1 began.     Only hiccup was the last day had winds that prevented the fleet from going out, but hey, there was wind!

No one dropped out due to sickness or injury between the 2 regattas and we are hoping this trend continues throughout the remainder of the CanAm Series.    We saw older boats being brought back to competition levels and even saw Gene Hinkle come out enjoying his first 2.4mR competition in 12 to 15 years.    We had three sailors from the Rockport Fleet, three sailors from Canada, and for CanAm #2 had Julio Reguero from Puerto Rico sail.

Our next CanAm Series regatta is Edge Midwinter CanAm #3 on February 19th and 20th.   We hope to see some more of our fleet from Canada make this event that struggled to make the first regattas.    Sailors are working on their skills, knowledge, and boats to make themselves more ready for the coming events.

The excitement is continuing to build, and the boats were closely considered by some who saw them for the first time which we hope to see getting into a boat racing soon.    If you are one of these or know of anyone interested in testing out a 2.4mR let the fleet know and we will gladly et up a time to make it happen.  Photos are posted on the Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club facebook page, and the fleet is fortunate to have these to share due to our photographers, Fran and Tina.    Thank you to all those who gave of their time and efforts from the club.

https://www.facebook.com/CharlotteHarborYachtClub

Let’s make 2022 a fantastic year for the fleets as we ready ourselves for the World’s in Davis Island this November.     If you haven’t scheduled these Regattas, get them on your calendar after registering online.    Too many sailors waited till the day of the CanAm #1 to register making it just that much more difficult to plan and execute.    If you need housing help, let the fleet know but do not let this stop you from participating.    Lastly, join the US Class association (link on us24meter.org homepage) for 2022 keeping them healthy and able to function.

US Fleet annual meeting will be in March during the last regattas.

There are still a limited number of rash guard shirts available through John Seepe for this CanAM Series.

Link to the Regatta Series is https://www.regattanetwork.com/event/23464#_registration+reg

 

Can Am 1 Results

Can Am 2 Results

 

#charlotteharboryachtclub #Regatta #charlotteharboryouthsailing #puntagordasailingclub #Paralympics #BacktheBid #clagett #USSailing