NAEMA – NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS PORT CREDIT YACHT CLUB AUGUST 8 – 10, 2009
A very successful and well-run 8mR North Championship was just completed over 3 days at the Port Credit Yacht Club. Ralph Reimann sailed a nearly perfect regatta as his SARISSA dominated as overall Champion and winner of the Sodus Bay Trophy. Richard Self and Mark Decelles in their brand new classic yacht RAVEN won the Sira Cup championship and the Globe and Mail Trophy. RAVEN placed second overall with a first place finish in the 3rd Race Sunday afternoon. Bert Reimann helming ISKAREEN another Classic 8mR, got 3rd overall and second in the Sira Cup championship. Diane Palm’s VENTURE II held down 3rd in the Sira Cup races.
Challenging at all times with several 2nd and 3rd place finishes were Guy Jones in his new modern 8mR Yquem being raced competitively for the first time and John Fowler’s modern Natural.
The erratic weather kept the fleet on the docks till afternoon over the weekend with no wind ( Saturday ) or the threat of line squalls ( Sunday ) but conditions improved and most races were held in just under 10 knots of wind. The exception was the final race on Sunday when the wind died to nothing at the final leeward mark and half the fleet suffered DNF’s.
NAEMA would like to thank the Port Credit Yacht Club, the home of the 1991 8mR WORLD Championships for welcoming us back and staging a great event. Commodore Peter Howells welcomed the fleet Saturday morning and was present at our post race party to recognize 8mR sailors from the past who are still with us. Dick Mitchele of THISBE a former PCYC Commodore was recognized with an Honourary Life Membership at PCYC. Congratulations Dick.
The races were managed with precision and effect by Pat Lymburner and his Race Committee. NAEMA would like to extend its thanks to the entire Race Committee and the Jury headed by Don McIntyre. There were no protests for them to consider.
Our sponsors and contributors also need to be recognized and thanked for their assistance – Jeff Burcher: COACH-BOATS – for the 1st place battle flags, event yacht pennants, and the race course start mark and Media Partners – for keg refreshments at the Sunday après race dock party
Caullyn Godfrey: Regatta Brands – regatta wear supplier and the keg refreshments at the Saturday après race dock party
Hugh Beaton: North Sails – prize table corporate wear
John Dakin: Quantum Sail Design Group – prize table corporate wear and sailing instructions folder
Brian Chapman: UK-Halsey Sailmakers – prize table corporate wear
The real credit for the success of this event and our fleet’s gratitude for all his hard work belongs to Cedric Gyles, Jr. ( SEVERN ) who put in many long hours organizing all aspects of the regatta with Martin Lomas who represented the PCYC as Regatta Chair. Our thanks indeed must go to both gentlemen.
As part of our long term strategy to promote the 8mR fleet as the Best Big Boat Racing on Lake Ontario we are moving the North American Championships around to different yacht clubs in order to give our fleet as wide an exposure as possible. We invite inquiries about ownership, crewing and sponsorship and of course future locations for the North American Championship. In 2010 the event will be held at the Etobicoke Yacht Club prior to the 2010 8mR World Championships at the RCYC in Toronto.
My congratulations to all competitors, and my thanks to our contributors and supporters. Robert Roy President, NAEMA
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