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2023 Ensign National Championship
Pentwater Yacht Club
Hosted by Fleet 70, August 13 - 17

This year's National Championship Regatta was hosted by Fleet 70 and
held in Pentwater, Michigan on the salt-free, shark-free sandy shores of
Lake Michigan. Weather and seas proved a formidable force. Members
of Fleet 70 volunteered as Ambassadors to take each visiting boat under
their wing as point person, including greeting and escorting each to
Registration at Patterson Marine then launched! The Regatta Committee,
led by Mike Bass welcomed skippers and crews during a delicious and
entertaining reception Sunday evening to kick off the event at the newly
constructed Pentwater Yacht Club. Participants from as far east as
Connecticut, south as Houston, west as Milwaukee and north as
Marquette traveled to compete. Past ECA Commodores including
Michael Macina, Michael LaHaye and Dick Torpey were in attendance,
as well as ECA Treasurer Kay Snider and other ECA
leadership. Some competitors like Questar and Dancing Bear came a
few days early to practice with the locals and to get to know the
waters. Lots of fun had by all.

A Monday morning parade of boats out to "the Big Lake" with an
introduction of each to the crowd of spectators lining the channel was a
gesture enjoyed by spectators and racers alike. In 2014, Matt Bounds
was our Primary Race Officer, and we were delighted that Matt agreed to
return to Pentwater for this year's regatta, and recruited a skilled and
spunky group of judges with him. Shortly after the start of the practice
race, a soft steady rain began to fall and didn't let up all day. By the end
of day 1, the leaders were well established. After getting out of foul
weather gear and soaked gear, PYC members and Regatta guests and
racers enjoyed PYC's traditional Monday night dinner (Members Cook for
Members) with a Cheeseburgers in Paradise theme with live
entertainment from Two Dudes in Flipflops.

Tuesday morning we were greeted with full sun and generous winds that
built throughout the 3 races. The Fleet 70 boats did their best to hang
back and let their guests take lead positions. After post-race free beer
hour, crews and guests enjoyed a full BBQ dinner catered by Q's of
Ludington. Wednesday morning brought clear skies and freshening
winds, enough to complete 8 official races overall, which was great, as
Thursday morning Matt called the regatta closed and Moosey declared
the winner. Sadly, during an early morning thunderstorm on Thursday,
Hull #4 - eyjafjallajokull (named after an Icelandic volcano), owned
by Norman Dodds and skippered by Allison Price, was struck by lightning
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