Youngstown gearing up for CanAm Challenge 2017

May 9, 2017

Youngstown Yacht Club’s committee boat Blue Moon (signal boat at the CanAm Challenge) is named after this beauty, the first boat at YYC back in 1931, a Sparkman Stephens designed NY 32 named Blue Moon. 

Each year the CanAm Challenge trophy is awarded to the country whose boats have performed best overall, all fleets to count. Last year the US finally wrested the prize away from Canada who had won it each year prior. The regatta is known for the high quality of race management, free launching and haul-out, plenty of shoreside activity, and famous Youngstown hospitality. We are bringing in a big band for the Saturday night Mt Gay Rum party. Youngstown is the place to be on the last weekend in July.

The 2017 CanAm Challenge will be held July 28-30 at the Youngstown Yacht Club with Race Committee assistance from the Niagara-on-the-Lake Sailing Club and National Yacht Club. Racing will be offered on four separate race courses for a variety of one design and PHRF fleets. This year’s regatta will have the added spice of the J/88 North American Championship, the Tripp 26 Great Lakes Championship, and the J/70 Lake Ontario Championship. Other classes signed up so far include J/22s, Beneteau First 36.7s, Melges 24s, Multihulls and PHRF spinnaker and non-spinnaker. Other classes may be added. The three championship fleets will race over three days, Friday-Sunday, with other fleets racing on the weekend. Register at Yacht Scoring https://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=3001

– Don Finkle