Melges 24 Canadian National Championships 2018
Sunday evening brings to a close a great 2018 Melges 24 Canadian Championships in Victoria, British Columbia. The 41 boat fleet enjoyed 5 races off the beautiful Victoria waterfront with 8–12 knots of breeze, variable currents, a stunning mountain backdrop, and everything from sunshine to rain. The event proved to be a great lead-up to the World Championships which start tomorrow.
Visiting US boats Monsoon (851) helmed by Bruce Eyres and WTF (829) helmed by Alan Field were first and second, with Richard Reid in Zingara (853) third overall and top Canadian boat.
Locals Full Circle (415), Light Scout (222), and Sunnyvale (151) led the way at the beginning of the event, and took three of the top five positions after the first day. However, Canadian boat Zingara (853) from Toronto dominated Day 2 with two firsts, and consistency paid for Monsoon and WTF to put them in the top 2 spots overall for the event, and only a point apart.
Nearby Seattle boat War Canoe (825) helmed by Michael Goldfarb was close behind by only a point in 4th, and Anacortes boat Mikey (835) with a mixed US/Canadian team of owner Kevin Welch with well-known Canadians Jason Rhodes and Ross MacDonald in 5th. Local Canadians rounded out the next five spots with Full Circle (415 – Bob Britten) in 6th, followed by Sunnyvale (151 – Fraser McMillan), Mikey (838 – Richard Clarke), Light Scout (222 – Kirk Palmer), and Hold My Beer (591 – Michael Bond) rounding out the top 10.
It was great to see young local teams right in the mix, including Sunnyvale (Fraser MicMillan) in 7th, Grey Matter (John Owen) in 19th, and Gravy (Dylan Jones) in 24th out of 41 boats – all graduates of Royal Victoria Yacht Club’s Junior Racing Program.
Host clubs Royal Victoria Yacht Club (RVYC) and Canadian Forces Sailing Association – Esquimalt (CFSA), combined with the host venue at the brand new Victoria International Marina (VIM) put on a fantastic event of racing and social events. The new marina and building were impressive to say the least – truly a luxury marina facility. RVYC and CFSA member volunteers put on great racing led by Regatta Chair Terry Stamper, International PRO John Abel, and International Judge Mike Turner. Shoreside events included social events after racing each afternoon at the new VIM building, and a wonderful traditional dinner and musical presentation put on by the local Songhees Nation, upon whose traditional lands and waters the regatta has been hosted.
Monsoon receiving the trophy for 1st place at the Melges 24 Canadian National Championship.
Top Canadian team Zingara CAN853
Melges 24 Canadian National Championship – Results
