Force 5: Racing, wings, and good valued fun

Thirty-four Force 5 sailors were blessed with perfect sailing weather for their Mid-Winter Championship, hosted by the Upper Keys Sailing Club on February 20-22 in Key Largo, FL.

Attendees from CT, MI, TX, MA, VA, CA, NJ, PA, SC, GA, FL, NC, OH and Canada were among those who convened for a practice race day including a memorable ‘Round Porjoe Island’ race as well as the demo of a high-tech solid wing sail being designed specifically for the ’Force 5X’. Next year’s gathering also promises to include the first Force 5 Doubles National Championship!

The result of the 3-day, 8-race series found perennial winner Fred Meno IV of Ft. Worth TX again beating out Bob Cullen Jr. of New London CT while Eric Vigrass, Jim Bigham and Tom Welsh rounded out the top five in the Championship Fleet. Lee Shuckerow of Port Huron MI took top honors in the Challenger Fleet while Mike Dale of Toronto won the Short-Rig Fleet with a tie-break over twin brother Alec Dale of Meadville PA.

Click here for complete results.
Click here for photos.

The Force 5 has been adding members and fleets throughout the country as single-handed sailors find the low cost of available hulls and equipment, coupled with the support of an incredibly strong Class Association prove out the Class motto:

There is simply no better spent dollar-per-boat-fun-hour than a Force 5!

Class website: www.force5.us

Report by Byron Hicks