(Toledo, Ohio)- Hosted by the Toledo Yacht Club, the annual Mills Trophy
Race starts near the Toledo Harbor Light along the Ohio shoreline of
Lake Erie, and finishes off of South Bass Island (Put-in-Bay). Three
courses, ranging from 38 to 71 nm, deliver the fleet to this popular
summer resort and recreational destination.The National Weather Service office in Cleveland issued a small-craft advisory for western Lake Erie when the 122-boat fleet started on Friday evening (June 5), in which it predicted north winds of 15 to 25 knots shifting to the northeast and waves building from 2-4 feet to 3-5 feet high.
Ron Soka, the Chairman of the Mills Race, said rough winds and waves were evident from the race’s start on Friday evening and remained consistent throughout. “It was windy, but it wasn’t unmanageable,” Soka said. “We have raced in worse – it was heavy though, no doubt.”
The Mills Trophy Race is held each year on the second weekend following Memorial Day. The race is open to the following classes: PHRF, JAM, Double-Handed, Multi-Hull and Classics. The three courses offered, depending on class and boat rating, all begin near the Toledo Harbor Light and end at a finish line off South Bass Island (Put-in-Bay).
In accordance with the deed of gift for the Mills Trophy that the race be a test of navigational skill, starts begin in the late afternoon and sailing continues through the evening and night.
Upon finishing, the boats proceed to the reserved public docks in downtown Put-in-Bay. Regardless of the time of arrival, the gathering at the docks is festive occasion for all with both the winners and the not so fortunate trading tales of their night on the lake.
Although the race is the centerpiece, Mills Week includes a number of other events. On the Friday evening preceding the race, the Mills Masters are invited to a special picnic in their honor. On Wednesday, the winners of the previous year's race are feted at a banquet and awards presentation. Thursday evening is the famous Mills Party held on the lawn of the Toledo Yacht Club. This party is open to the public and offers an opportunity to see many of the boats that will race the next evening. Boats arriving on Thursday are welcomed with a cannon salute. A post-race party, held on Saturday afternoon at the Put-in-Bay Yacht Club, includes music, refreshments and the posting of the race results. Before heading home on Sunday, flags are presented to the winning skippers.
There were 126 boats participating in this year’s event with eight J/Teams racing. One of those sailing teams that excelled in the race was the classic J/34 IOR design called KNEE DEEP. The report from owner Katie Langolf and her husband Brett was, “our J/34 just took 3rd in a nasty and tragic Mills Race. The boat was awesome!
In a race that saw 40+ boats not finish, 30+ knots winds and many more breakdowns, the J/34 Knee Deep stood up to the challenge taking a 3rd Place in PHRF and 6th overall on the course.” The photo here is of owner Katie Langolf with the flag at the local watering hole.
In addition to their excellent performance, others with notable finishes included Chris Mallet’s J/109 SYNCRONICITY taking third in PHRF E class; Mark Symond’s Mac Race winning J/105 team on PTERODACTYL taking 2nd in PHRF F class; and Dick & Dan Synowiec’s J/33 SHENANIGAN taking 2nd in PHRF B class.
J/Boats and our extended family of sailors and friends wish the family that lost their father/ grandfather our most heartfelt condolences. For more Mills Trophy Race sailing information
