Register today and mark your calendars! Sonar Fleet 5, Wayzata Yacht Club, and the Sonar Class Association are excited to invite you to sail with us at the 2023 Sonar North American Championship (NOR), held September 14-17 in Minnesota on Lake Minnetonka! Register your boat today at http://na2023.sonar5.org and receive regatta updates or post photos and videos of your season by following the regatta page at http://facebook.com/sonarfleet5.
Want more racing? The Sonar Midwest Championship (with an entry fee of $100 for Sonars racing in the NAs) will be held at WYC the prior weekend on September 8-10. This gives you the potential to get 20 races over 10 days for an all-in entry fee of $550, as well as the chance to relax and explore Minnesota for 4 days between the regattas.
Noroton Yacht Club (Darien, CT) is announcing the inaugural Susan Widmann Sinclair Women’s Championship, an umpired fleet race regatta to include a dozen of the country’s top women sailors.
Sailed in the Club’s fleet of Sonars, the championship will be sailed Friday, June 16 through Sunday June 18, 2023, on Long Island Sound with practice racing on Thursday, June 15.
Noroton Commodore Bobby Lawrence commented, “The Sinclair Women’s Championship is something our Club has wanted to do for a long time. With the increasing support of women’s regattas, both nationally and at Noroton, this is a great way for us to use our fleet of Sonars to increase opportunities for top women sailors. It also allows us to honor a women who played an important role in Noroton Yacht Club’s history and heritage. All of us at Noroton look forward to this Championship becoming a major part of the growing women’s championship circuit.”
In addition to being awarded the new Susan Widmann Sinclair Women’s Championship trophy, the winning skipper will receive a berth to compete in New York Yacht Club’s 2024 Women’s Championship.
Entry for this Championship is by invitation only based upon the skipper’s sailing resume. To be considered, interested sailors must submit a detailed sailing resume to Event Chair Nancy Pearson by February 1 at nancy.pearson@harborcrest.com. The Notice of Race can be found on Yacht Scoring at https://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eid=15609.
This championship and trophy are dedicated to Susan Widman Sinclair, a lifelong member of Noroton Yacht Club who competed in the Lightning, Tempest, J/24, and Sonar Classes, most with her husband David as crew. In 1962, Sue won the Adams Trophy, US Sailing’s Women’s Sailing Championship. That same year she was named the Martini and Rossi Yachtswoman-of-the-Year (now sponsored by Rolex) alongside Bus Mosbacher as Yachtsman-of-the-Year. Commodore Lawrence concluded, “Sue was a mentor and inspiration to a generation of women sailors, at Noroton and beyond. Our creating this new championship in her name reflects her contributions to our Club and women sailors everywhere.”
BOB LAWRENCE’S NEFARIOUS DOMINATES CASELLA 2022 SONAR WORLD SAILING CHAMPIONSHIPS (June 16-19) ON LAKE SUNAPEE, NH
Sunapee, NH – (June 19, 2022) – Nefarious (USA 384), skippered by Bob Lawrence and Paul Sevigny with Victor Diaz De Leon and Willem Van Waay as crew, won six of ten races June 16-18 on Lake Sunapee, NH during the Casella 2022 Sonar World Championships. Nefarious sails out of the Noroton Yacht Club in Darien, CT. The regatta was highlighted by strong winds the first three days of racing averaging 15-25 knots. Racing was cancelled the final day, Sunday, June 19, due to even stronger winds. Second place went to Ping (CAN 754) from the Lunenburg Yacht Club in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada, skippered by Andreas Josenhans, and third place went to Resonance (USA 787) from the host Lake Sunapee Yacht Club, skippered by Brian Doyle. Nefarious finished with 11 points, Ping 26 points and Resonance 27 points.
Bob Lawrence’s said about the Championship, “I was fortunate to have been able to team-up with Paul for this regatta and he brought along two sailors, Victor ad Willem, who are no strangers to the podium. And, although the point spread may not show it, the racing was very tight throughout the racing. And, sailing on Lake Sunapee was a joy, with brisk winds making the sailing challenging with gusts into the 30s on Saturday, good sea states, and challenging wind shifts that kept us all on our toes. Our focus on speed, boat handling and minimizing tactical risks resulted in this win. This was team effort and I was thrilled to be part of this team. This was a big regatta for a small club and everyone turned out to help. Many sailors remarked on how warm, hospitable, and welcoming everyone was. It’s encouraging to see how this kind of volunteerism continues to exist at this clubs.”
At the debrief after winning the second day, Andreas Josenhans noted, ” As a blue water sailor, it’s nice to see how challenging lake sailing can be. I have new respect for all those who sail regularly on lakes, especially those who sail on Lake Sunapee.” Noroton Yacht Club’s Fleet Captain Jan Raymond said she’d like to see more regattas on lakes.”
Dawn Shumway, President of the International Sonar Class Association, continued, “The five teams that came from Rochester, NY, loved sailing on Lake Sunapee. The venue, the club, and the fierce competition were memorable. It was fun to bring everyone together again.”
The Casella 2022 Sonar World Championships were presented by the Lake Sunapee Cruising Fleet and hosted by the Lake Sunapee Yacht Club. Twenty-two Sonar Class sailboats from as far away as Minnesota, Florida, and Nova Scotia sailed in the regatta.
YCN Now, the region’s local TV station and network, aired 15-minute daily recaps of the three days of racing on YCN Live. The recaps are also streaming on the YCN Now website at YCNnow.com. There is some dramatic drone footage of the racing, beautiful Lake Sunapee and the surrounding mountains including Mount Sunapee Resort. Additional video coverage is available on YouTube.
Bob Lawrence, currently Commodore of Noroton Yacht Club, closed by saying how proud and honored all the Noroton Sonar sailors that this World Championship trophy is returning to the home club of Bruce Kirby, friend, competitor, mentor and designer of the Sonar, within a year of Bruce’s death.
Thanks to the support of over 40 local businesses and individuals, including the Title Sponsor, Casella Waste Systems, Inc., the Lake Sunapee Region was able to host this exciting world-class event.
A Sonar is a 23-foot one-design racing sailboat designed by naval architect Bruce Kirby. Sonars have been an active international racing class since 1980. Typically, there is a crew of four onboard for racing.
The Worlds will to take place at Lake Sunapee, NH, in June 2022. A notice of Race will be posted, and the schedule is expected to be as follows:
Tuesday, June 14, 2022 1300-1700 Late Registration & Check-In 1300-1700 Measurement & Inspection Wednesday, June 15, 2022 0900-1800 Check-In, Registration, Measurement & Inspection 1500 Practice Race Warning Signal 1800 All boats in the water 1800 Competitor’s Meeting 1930 Welcome / Opening Reception Thursday, June 16, 2022 1000 First Warning Signal After racing Daily Awards & Cookout Friday, June 17, 2022 1000 First Warning Signal After racing Daily Awards & Rum Party Saturday, June 18, 2022 1000 First Warning Signal 1830-1915 Sonar Fleet Annual General Meeting 1930 Dinner & Entertainment Sunday, June 19, 2022 0930 First Warning Signal 1400 No warning signals after 1400 (unless required to constitute a series). After racing Awards Haul Out By Bow # order
The Nyack Boat Club (Nyack, NY) has shed its winter blanket and is looking forward with hope and enthusiasm to a more normal & active 2021 sailing season. To that end we are again hosting our annual Tappan Zee Challenge, traditionally the first Sonar Class sanctioned regatta of the sailing season, June 26 & 27. Come join us; you can count on the Hudson River’s challenging winds and currents to provide an interesting & fun way to start the 2021sailing and regatta season.
It will be a multi-class regatta again this year. In addition to putting on the Tappan Zee Challenge we will be concurrently hosting a Thistle Class regatta and a Lightning Class regatta. This always heightens the interest and the action both on the water and on shore. We will have a full day of racing Saturday. NBC members will be there to help launch the Sonars Friday evening and Saturday morning. All boats must be afloat by 1000 Saturday. The boats will stay on the club’s guest mornings Saturday night. Sunday we will start early and conclude early enough for you to get home dinner with the family.
Please note – the Nyack Boat Club observes New York State COVID-19 protocols and strongly encourages wearing a mask and safe distancing while on the property and on the launch.
The NOR’s will posted asap on www.nyackboatclub.org and www.Sonar.org. Feel comfortable to contact me, NBC Sonar Fleet captain, directly at address below ….
The Sonar Class Association (SCA) Executive Committee met and decided to cancel the 2021 North Americans at Wayzata Yacht Club (WYC). The COVID-19 pandemic has created numerous challenges. While the decision wasn’t easy, feedback from various yacht clubs was that traveling and participation in a North American Championship level regatta in 2021 was not feasible. The Board firmly desires to maintain the quality and participation of the event for all teams.
The SCA Board awarded the 2022 Sonar Worlds to Lake Sunapee Yacht Club in New Hampshire in June. The SCA Board awarded the 2023 Sonar North Americans to WYC in September.
Due to COVID-19, the 2020 Sonar North Americans Regatta at WYC has been canceled. With the support of the Sonar Class Association (SCA) and Wayzata Yacht Club (WYC), it is our intention to host this event next year in 2021.
For the first two days, once the sea breeze kicked-in the
persistent shifts were to the left. Today, after a two-hour shore delay, the
5-7 knot sea breeze filled in around noon and steadily clocked to the right all
afternoon. Whereas the play the first two days was to go left, today it was the
opposite, and today, effectively changing gears for puffs and lulls plus shifts
was critical.
Sonar World Championship 2019
Ultimately, Rochester Yacht Club’s Mike Wilde retained his
lead with 15 points after a 1-2-6 daily scoreline. Now that ten races have been
sailed, a second throw-out is implemented and Wilde’s two worse scores (both sixth
place finishes in the 24-boat fleet) have been eliminated. However, it was Brian
Doyle and TK Kenny who won the day with finishes of 6-1-1. The duo sailed
conservatively but protected and controlled the right side of the course and,
as they demonstrated yesterday, their downwind speed was superior to most if
not all.
Sonar World Championship 2019
The third and fourth place teams are still holding their positions
with local Eric Voss still in third (3-8-2 today) followed by Nova Scotia’s
Andres Josenhans (12-7-8).
Tomorrow’s final day will hold a maximum of two races, and,
with the combination of a seven-point lead, local knowledge and proven
consistency, Mike Wilde will be tough to beat for the Championship. That said,
Doyle and Kenny are the two who could do it.
Mike Wilde Protects His Lead at Sonar World Championship
Rochester Yacht Club, Rochester, NY
The following recaps key accomplishments in the past 10
months:
With half the regatta completed (two days and seven races),
Rochester Sailor Mike Wilde has held his lead on the fleet and opened his
points advantage with a 6-2-4 performance today giving him a total of 21 points
(the six got dropped). Tied for second place with points are Brian Doyle (NH)
and local sailor Eric Voss. In fourth, three points out of second, is Andreas Josenhans
(NS).
Sonar World Championship 2019
Today’s conditions light and started out of S/W. Left side
was hugely favored as it was in Day 1 but a major wind shift and a dying breeze
resulted in the racing being abandoned. Apparently the Race Committee had
anticipated a lengthy on-the-water postponement and, after a while of drifting
Sonars, they, they went around the fleet and distributed bingo cards.
Announcing numbers (and winners) via VHF helped the fleet pass the time.
Eventually the wind filled-in enough to get off a race
although the wind was only in the 5-6 knots range out of NE quadrant. Continues
to back for all three subsequent races. As noted, the left side was dominant
and, as Class President and Paralympic Silver Medalist Rick Doerr said, That’
why we call this place ‘Leftchester.’ Mike Wilde sailed great today, winning
the left end of the line, and getting to the left first. That paid for him in
the first two races. BTW, I’ve started to call Mike ‘Lefty’ for his
tactics…and his boat is called GOIN’ LEFT.”
By the time the third race was sailed, the thermal effect
had maxed out so, with the wind now osculating there were opportunities to be
realized on the right side of the course.
On the lasts race of the day, Brian Doyle, sailing with TK Kenny, got to
the right and controlled that side of the course which, matched by their
excellent downwind speed, gave them the win for the race and moved them up into
second place.
Racing resumes tomorrow but the forecast is for more light
wind. Sunday’s finale, however, is forecast to bring with it more substantial
winds.
The opening day of the 2019 Sonar World Championship hosted
by the Rochester (NY) Yacht Club was dominated by local sailor Michael Wilde.
Wilde’s scoreline was 2-1-2-1 and there likely would have been another first
had a race in which he had a significant lead been abandoned due to a 50+ wind
shift. Playing the shifts was key as there was a persistent backing breeze all
day.
Sonar World Championship 2019
Wilde’s take on the day was, “Overall, it was a difficult
first day, but we enjoyed a solid breeze once it filled in from the left. It
was unfortunate we had to abandon one race due to a major wind shift. That was
a disappointment to me as I was in the lead, but I feel good about today. For
me, today it was a boat speed game combined with getting off the line well in
the 24-boat fleet. Once we were out in front, we could sail our own race. My
crew told me to ‘drag race off the line.’ It was important to be in the
neighborhood of the favored end but it was also critical to have clear air so
you could focus on your boat speed.”
Sonar World Championship 2019
After Wilde’s six points, the next trio on the leaderboard
are all within three points. Local sailors are in second (Eric Voss – 13 points
and Jack Odenbach – 15 points, each having won a race) followed in third by
Canadian Hall of Fame Sailor from Lunenburg, NS with 16 points.
Racing resumes tomorrow and continues through Sunday,
September 22.
