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Smooth sailing: Delavan Lake hosts 70th youth regatta

Photo

Photo by Terry Mayer

Boats are lined up for the Inland Lakes Yachting Associations' X Championship, which ran from July 25-28 on Delavan Lake.

DELAVAN — Two hundred twelve sailors under 16 year came from Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin to Delavan Lake Yacht Club (DLYC) to sail in the 70th Inland Lakes Yachting Association X Class Regatta. The regatta is one of the oldest, longest and largest running youth regattas in the Midwest and United States. Some sailors are third- and fourth-generation family sailors and many are brand new.

Opening ceremonies included a U.S. Navy color guard, drill team and singer. In addition speakers were chief judge Tom Hodgson from White Bear Minn., 1963 X Inland Champion Doug Cameron from Delavan, and world famous sailor Buddy Melges, who started his racing career in the X boat on Delavan in 1939.

Two fleets, Junior (51 boats) and Senior (55) competed on two different courses on Delavan Lake. Senior Fleet sailed seven races and Junior Fleet sailed the full eight races.

The overall winner and Senior Fleet champion was M-101, Jack Bitney and Molly Voltz from Minnetonka, Minn. Winning the Junior Fleet was V-411, JP Friend and Christian Spencer from Pewaukee, Wis.

DLYC is in its 120th year. Founded July 4, 1892, it has held racing competitions continuously each summer. In close association with the Delavan Lake Sailing School, it holds fleet racing for youths and adults emphasizing sportsmanship, respect for nature and community.

For more race results, see the DLYC website.

For more photos of the regatta, see HERE. Or see the Aug. 5 print or e-edition of the Walworth County Sunday.