The International Y Flyer Regatta 2016 was held at Belwood Lake Sailing Club in hot weather and high, blustery winds from July 11 to 14.
Competitors came from as far away as Arkansas, Atlanta, Lethbridge, Sudbury and Ottawa. There were five American boats and ten Canadian boats, of which four were local club members.
The Y Flyer is a 5.5m sloop-rigged racing dinghy designed to be sailed by two people. Y Flyers were designed in 1938 and are built of either wood or fiberglass. Over 3,000 have been built to date, either by their owners or commercially.
Over the three days the Y Flyers sailed three races on both Tuesday and Wednesday and two more on Thursday. High calibre sailing was evident throughout.
There were several capsizes only a couple of which needed assistance in righting. By the end of the first day the final positions were beginning to emerge. The brother and sister-in-law Barton team from the USA held the lead with another USA boat second.
The local sailors jostled for the next four places with Colin King and crew Teri Rouleau eventually placing third.
The visitors enjoyed their time at Belwood, a repeat of the 2006 International regatta, which was also held at this sailing club.
