(Port Huron, MI)- The Bayview Mackinac Race, hosted by Bayview YC, had a
strong field of 239 boats that sailed in Doublehanded, PHRF and ORR
handicap divisions. The fleet was split between the two courses on
offer to the sailors, with a small fleet of boats sailing the longer
"Cove Island course" (which takes teams up onto the Canadian side of
Lake Huron up north near a buoy to the entrance of the North Channel in
Ontario, then head nearly due WNW to Mackinac Island for the finish) and
the balance of boats sailed the so-called "Shore Course" (a direct
shot, mostly up the eastern Michigan shoreline directly to Mackinac).
The popularity of the Shore Course has risen dramatically in recent
years at it's primarily a reaching course, so teams get to Mackinac
Island faster and happier (for the most part!). The Cove Island course
takes teams due north and often when turning left to head for the
island, it turns into a fairly rough beat to windward (not good for Mom
and the kids). This year's race was a relatively fast one with teams starting in good breeze on Saturday and many finishing late Sunday and early Monday morning. Sneaking in was the J/111 KASHMIR sailed by Tom Roop, taking 7th overall. J/120s as a whole did well in this race, taking seven of the top 17 places overall. Add in the top J/111's and results show J/Teams took nine of the top 20 places (not bad, to have nearly 50% of the top 20!).
In the Doublehanded Division on the Shore Course, the J/29 PATRIOT skippered by Lyndon Lattie took first overall followed by the J/111 NO SURPRISE sailed by Dave Irish in third place. A fantastic performance for both boats.
The Cove Island course PHRF C class saw the two J/111s simply dominate their competitors. Leading the fleet home was past Chicago-Mac winner KASHMIR sailed by Tom Roop, winning by over 22 minutes corrected. Second home was Tim Clayson's UNPLUGGED, 41 minutes clear of the boat that took third! Sailing photo credits- Martin @ ELEMENTS For more Bayview Mackinac Island sailing information
