Terry McLaughlin Earns Advantage at J/105 Midwinter Championship

Terry McLaughlin, recently named Sail Canada’s Rolex Sailor of the Year, has taken the lead after day one of the J/105 Midwinter Championship hosted by Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, Texas. Sailing Avici with Paul Parsons, Kevin Taylor, Jeff Cooke, Emmett Dickheiser and Monica Parsons, McLaughlin won three of the day’s five races, and has a point total of 10. Locals Bill Lakenmacher on Radiance and Uzi Ozeri on Infinity hold the next two spots, with 15 and 20 points, respectively. Winds on Galveston Bay held at a steady 10-16 knots throughout Friday. McLaughlin started the event with a bullet, as Greg Turman’s Horny Toad placed second, and Bee Bednar’s Stinger third. Avici again took first in the next contest, while Lakenmacher and Ozeri moved up to the silver and bronze positions. Mark Young’s Killer Rabbit earned the victory in race three, as again Lakenmacher and Ozeri rounded out the top three. McLaughlin returned to the highest mark in race four, followed by Young and Bednar. The closing battle was won by Lakenmacher, as McLaughlin settled for second and Ozeri for third. Racing continues through Sunday. Photos (courtesy of John Lacy Photography) are available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacyphotos/sets/72157642007204024/, and complete results are available at the