(Port Huron, MI)- The International Lake Huron 100 sponsored by the Port
Huron Yacht Club sailed at the southern end of Lake Huron attracted six
J/120s, Tim Clayson's J/111 UNPLUGGED, the Huneke/ Hayward/ Levin J/35
GRIFFIN, and Dean Walsh's J/105 GOOD LOOKIN. The 89 nm (100 statute
mile) course consisted of racing from Port Huron to the channel mark in
the lake and then sailing a square course, finishing in front of the
Maritime Center in Port Huron on the St. Clair River. For many of the
teams, the race serves as great practice for two of the upcoming
premiere offshore races on the Great Lakes, the Chicago-Mackinac Race
and the Port Huron-Mackinac Race.
This
year's Lake Huron 100 started with practically no wind, but the breeze
eventually developed out of the south-southwest. The lead changed in
the J/120 fleet on nearly every leg. After rounding in last place at the
Port Sanilac buoy (last mark of the course), the J/120 FLYIN IRISH,
skippered by Jerry Bresser, sailed left to the center of the lake on a
beat (in other words, not the "normal strategy" in a south-southwester
since the wind usually lifts on starboard tack near shore as you head
back to the finish line. Nevertheless, FLYIN IRISH found stronger wind
and managed to pass all the other J/120s to finish first in class and in
the PHRF fleet overall! The J/105 GOOD LOOKIN owned by Dean Walsh
managed to place 2nd in PHRF 1. Sailing Photo credit- Lisa Marino
For
more Lake Huron 100 sailing information
