Red Eight Regatta Kicks Off Midwest Racing Season Under Blue Skies
The Grand Traverse Yacht Club fired the starting gun on its annual Melges 24 Red Eight Regatta this past Saturday, June 13th, marking a return to racing in Region. Twelve boats registered for the event, and 11 made the starting line. Two traveling teams rounded out the fleet with 9 local teams also on the line. The two newest teams to join the Grand Traverse Fleet were among those racing, Kent Sisk in Pulse USA 719, and Ken Mungan in Little Coconut USA 861. Their addition brings the local fleet to 17 boats this year.
Conditions for the day were exceptional, after a brief postponement. The fleet began racing under blue skies and northerly winds at 6-8 knots. Winds steadily built throughout the day and by race 4, some planning was being seen across the race track. On the final downwind leg of race 6, the last of the day, teams were seeing solid 12-13 knots of boat speed to the finish line.
Local titan Mike Dow, and his Flying Toaster team on USA 613, won the day. The fleet was loaded with college sailors, class experts, pro sailors, and top regional amateur teams. To review full results, please follow the link below.
https://yachtscoring.com/event_results_cumulative.cfm?eID=11853
The Grand Traverse Yacht Club and its local Melges 24 Fleet welcomes everyone to come and race this summer.
Please feel free to contact Scot Zimmerman (zimmerman2209@gmail.com) if you need information on the racing calendar, or storage and logistics.