Regatta Report: 2024 Around the World Race

Date: November 2nd, 2024 

Location: Lake Whittier, Frederick, MD 

Weather: Sunny skies with temperatures in the high 60s and good winds at 3-10 mph 

The 2024 Around the World Race brought together a competitive field of 12 skippers representing clubs from the five-state region. Before we talk about the race, we would like to thank our sponsor West Virginia Adventure Rides and our volunteers Sydney (Score Keeper), Alan (Race Director) and Braulio (Rescue Fleet) for helping everything run so smooth. Kyle also did a fantastic job with the food! Thank you!

 The regatta consisted of two, one lap races around the lake which was about a one-half mile walk. Everyone had a fantastic lunch in between the two races. Trophies and awesome prizes were awarded at the end of the day. Bart and Mahi loved the backpack and survival kit he was awarded! Really nice prizes were given to all!

The lake’s size, shape and the topography of the land around it really made it like racing in four different styles of races.  Kyle and Bart seemed to master the first section which consisted of broad tacks up and around the first corner, John Houfek was really strong on the second section which was a straight course with variable winds.  John’s domination of this section would soon collapse as he navigated though this section with required careful adjustments of your sails from full out the three-quarters in. After traveling around the last mark, the dragons headed a quarter mile downwind to the finish line.  Kyle, Mari and Rob Dutton all had great backstretches.

Kyle set a new race record on lap number one as he bested Bart in a time of 22 minutes. Mari sailed across in third and Albert surprised everyone with a fourth-place finish. Rob rounded out the top five.  The second and final race saw Mari, Bart, and Rob battling the whole way as they build a huge lead over the entire fleet by the race’s halfway point. Bart faded a bit down the downwind portion and was hoping that Rob could hold onto the five-foot lead that he had built.  As they sailed the last 50 yards to the finish, Rob was windward of Mari but still retained a lead. Mari was communicating well with Rob as she skillfully forced him up and edged him by an inch at the finish.  This was an incredibly a close finish for a one-half mile race.  Bart came across in third well ahead of the rest of the fleet to secure second place for the day. Mari’s great sailing for the day resulted in her taking a third and first place and earning her the win for the second year in a row. Rob ended up third on the day with a fifth and second place showing. Kyle finished 4th after a disappointing second race and Albert secured fifth place with forth and fifth place race finishes.  Eric rounded out the top six with consistent sixth and forth place finishes for this challenging regatta that tested the competitor’s skills.

This was a fantastic event again this year and everyone had a great time. Rob Dutton was awarded the Sail Wars Sportsmanship Award by the volunteers.  A special thanks to the Northern Maryland Model Yacht Club for hosting this event, it wouldn’t happen without you! NMMYC’s 69 members always have great events and this one did not disappoint. Great friends, great lake, great food, and great racing!  We can’t wait for next year!

Alan Krusinger

Race Director

 Individual Regatta Standings

1.  Mari - 4 points 

2.  Bart - 5 points 

3.  Rob - 7 points 

4. Kyle – 8 points

5. Albert – 9 points

6. Eric- 10 points

7. Dave Fitzgerald- 16 points

8. John Houfek-17 points

9. Dave Bermingham- 18 points

10. Paul- 19 points

11. Charlene- 21 points

12. Andy-25 points

NOR (click here)