MISSA East Baker - Pre Qualifier Tier 2

Nine teams from high schools in Michigan and Ohio arrived at Grosse Pointe Yacht Club's Marine Activities Center on Friday morning to see who would qualify to represent MISSA East at the MISSA Baker qualifier regatta. Racing was delayed approximately 3.5 hours due to high winds and flooding at the host location. Conditions improved, with winds out of the east at 15-22 knots. A course was set and the Race Committee was able to get 7 races completed. Winds shifted significantly to the south and increased to 18-22 knots, and the course was moved to get some protection from land. As Race Committee approached the start of the 8th race, the winds picked up to 20-25 knots, with gusts into the 30s. The first attempt at race 8 was abandoned by the Race Committee. Due to high winds, racing was cancelled for the remainder of Friday and teams were instructed to report early on Saturday.

Saturday morning saw an early start with teams arriving at 7:30 am in hopes of taking advantage of more favorable winds. Racing started with winds at 15 knots out of the WSW gusting to 20. During the event there were a few wind shifts but only one course change was required. Winds built throughout the morning to 18-20 knots with gusts to 25. The Race Committee and teams were able to work efficiently, and one full round robin was completed.One full round was completed.

Congratulations to the following four teams that move on to the MISSA Baker qualifier regatta in Chicago on May 4 and 5: St. Ignatius High School, Cleveland; Grosse Pointe South High School; Cranbrook Kingswood; and West Bloomfield High School. Good luck in Chicago!

Thank you to everyone who helped put on this regatta! Special thanks go to: Grosse Pointe South for hosting the regatta; Grosse Pointe Yacht Club for use of their amazing venue and boats, and for the dedication and support of Wally Cross and Emily Simon; Grosse Pointe Youth Nautical Education Foundation for its continued support of high school sailing; all members of the Race Committee; Chief Umpire Fred Hagedorn and his crew of umpires; MISSA representatives Lynn Frikker and Eric Ellison; and the hospitality crew that kept the sailors fed and hydrated. And last, but certainly not least, a huge thank you to regatta chairperson Bill Turner, and to Gretchen Carron.