Counihan's JAWS Snaps Up the 2019 Canadian National Champ Title
Congratulations are in full order for current U.S. Melges 24 Class President and long-time owner Roger Counihan at the helm of JAWS, with crew Todd Wilson, Tiffany Wilson and Travis Maier — they are 2019 Canadian National Champs!
As published by the Canadian Melges 24 Class - September 22, 2019, Tecumseh, Ontario. The final day of the 2019 Canadian Nationals was all about the team USA-775 “Jaws” from Lake Lanier Yacht Club with Roger Counihan on helm. With the wind in 12 – 20 knots range “Jaws” won the two first races of the day and were even with Jim Pearson’s CAN-737 “Slippery” going into the final race. They nailed it as well with another 1st place finish and won both the overall and the Corinthian titles. Jim Pearson’s “Slippery” representing the South Port Sailing Club hosting the regatta, sailed an amazing event and won the Silver posting 3,2 and 10th in the final day of the event. The overall Bronze and the Corinthian Silver went to Kevin Shockey at the helm of his USA-396 “Wombmates Racing” team from Vermilion Boat Club. The 4th overall and Corinthian Bronze went to Dan Berezin’s CAN-629 “Surprise” from National Yacht Club, Toronto.
CANADIANS DAY 2
September 21, 2019, Tecumseh, Ontario. Day two of the 2019 Canadian Nationals was raced in the wind ranged from 6 to 14 knots under the sunny skies of Lake St.Clair. The Class newcomer, local sailor Jim Pearson skippering CAN-737 “Slippery” had a great day posting 4, 3, 3 and 1st finishes and extended his overall lead. Following closely with just 3 points behind after the worst race discard is Roger Counihan on helm of USA-775 “Jaws” with 2, 2, 1 and 12th finishes today. Just 2 points behind is USA-396 “Wombmates Racing” helmed by Kevin Shockey from Vermilion, Ohio, that had a great day with 1, 1, 6 and 6th finishes.
Going into the final day tomorrow it’s is an open game for these three teams.
2019 MELGES 24 CANADIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP OFF TO A SHIFTY START
September 20, 2019, Tecumseh, Ontario. 2019 Melges 24 Canadian Nationals started off on the Lake Saint Clair waters. Nine races are scheduled over the three days regatta, being the concluding event of the 2019 North American circuit. The forecast called for light winds clocking from North East to South which did not make the Race Committee’s job easy. Nevertheless two good races were conducted amongst 16 boats.
The first race was won by a local team CAN-99 “Spitfire” helmed by John Marentette followed by Dan Berezin’s CAN-629 “Surprise” of Toronto and Thomas Roop of Traverse City, Michigan, on helm of USA-121 “Collusion”.
The second race saw several lead changes with Atlanta’s Roger Counihan and a team of USA-775 “Jaws” taking the first, with another local boat CAN-737 “Slippery” helmed by Jim Pearson taking the second. The third place went to Peter Shumaker of Grosse Point, Michigan, helming USA-593 “Marianne”.
The races will continue tomorrow with another light wind day expected.