2012 Ensign National Regatta In Marquette, Michigan

By Aimee Meyer

Wayzata Yacht Club had an excellent showing at the 2012 Ensign National Regatta in Marquette, Michigan, on Lake Superior. Five boats from Wayzata competed in a fleet of 39. We met with boats from Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, New Jersey, Texas and Michigan. One Ensign sailor arrived from Japan and another from Saudi Arabia. The opening ceremonies began with the National Anthems of Canada, England, Japan and the U.S. The first day was light, but throughout the week the winds built up and we had a total of seven closely fought races over four days.

The members of Marquette Yacht Club were amazing hosts, welcoming us to their town like family members home for a reunion. Between races lunch was delivered boat-side from Jimmy Johns. Freaky Fast, they always got my order right. Each evening we were treated to local foods and the sites of the area.

Wayzata Yacht Club was represented by Travis Van Neste on Pegasus, Karl Reindel on Long Shot, Andrew Larson on Yin Yang, Fred Meyer on Popper and 13 year old Sophie Kedrowski on boat 1430 donated for the regatta by Richard Dombross as one of three youth boats. We were challenged as a club to develop our youth program, provide youth boats and encourage the future of our sport. Pegasus placed second overall and Long Shot took tenth. Long Shot was sailed by four of the Reindel brothers who grew up sailing at WYC and reunited last week for the regatta. It was so great to see WYC at the awards banquette taking home hardware.

I encourage every sailor to make the trip to a national regatta if you can. The experience of meeting with passionate, world class sailors from across the country is unbeatable and incredibly motivating. It was both humbling and exciting to be a part of the camaraderie of national level sailboat racing.

The same committee is already at work to plan the 2013 event, which will seek to come back stronger than ever as we exit this transitional year. On behalf of the St. Croix Yacht Club, we look forward to working with the community to make this uniquely Cruzan event a proud and prosperous one for all in 2013.

Overall Results
Sailed: 7, Discards: 1, To count: 6, Entries: 39

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