Saxton wins Tri Lake Challenge

The coveted Barthel Trophy, one of many governed by the Yacht Racing Union Great Lakes (YRUGL), is awarded to the best finisher of all three of the Great Lakes featured long distance races. The three comprise the Bayview Mackinac, Chicago Mackinac and the ever tough Trans Superior. All three make up what the Yacht Racing Union proudly calls the Tri Lake Challenge.

Established back in 2001, the YRUGL dusted off the beautiful Barthel Trophy and repositioned it as the award for winning the Tri Lake. Since the Trans Superior is only sailed every two years on odd calendar years, it was to be awarded this year to the best finisher to have completed all three races.

Out of all the hundreds of boats that compete in these three races, four boats raced all three. They were Stripes skippered by Bill Martin, having won several times before, II Mostro, skippered by Peter Thornton and Screaming O, skippered and Steve Schick and Eric Thomas. The fourth boat Vortices skippered by Chris Saxton who came out the overall winner.

Results (Chi-Mac – PtH-Mac – Trns)
1. Vortices, Chris Saxton (Bayview Yacht Club), 1-2-1, 4
2. Stripes, Bill Martin (Bayview Yacht Club), 2-3-2, 7
3. Il Mostro, Peter Thornton (Chicago Yacht Club), 3-1-4, 8
4. Screaming O, Steve Shick & Eric Thomas (Duluth Yacht Club), 4-4-3, 11

Race mileage
Chicago Mackinac – 333 miles
Trans Superior – 338 miles
Bayview Mackinac had two courses at 235 or 290 miles (corrected time divided by the number of miles each boat sailed on the two different courses to determine 1 – 4).

About – The Yacht Racing Union of the Great Lakes was founded in 1896 with the membership of the Detroit Regional Yacht-Racing Association, Lake Superior Yachting Association, Lake Huron Yachting Association, Lake Michigan Sail Racing Federation, Lake Yacht Racing Association and the Inter Lake Yachting Association who coordinates events held between these Great Lakes.

Submitted:
Scott Spaeth, President
YRUGL