Terry McLaughlin Prevails at J/105 Midwinter Championship

Terry McLaughlin dominated the fleet at 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 (recently named Sail Canada’s Rolex Sailor of the Year) totaled only 22 points in the 11 race series. They endured a 20 percent penalty in race three, and otherwise tallied all top three finishes. Hometown helmsmen Bill Lakenmacher on Radiance (32 points) and Uzi Ozeri on Infinity (46 points) rounded out the top three. McLaughlin raced with Paul Parsons years ago, but actually didn’t know the rest of his crew, since Paul did the organizing. “Our win was a true team effort,” McLaughlin said while accepting his trophy. He also complimented the great Race Committee, noting, “It has been a long time since I have experienced 10 races in two days!” With favorable breezes on Friday and Saturday, the Race Committee was able to complete five races per day, leaving just one on Sunday (won by Lakenmacher). The top five: Terry McLaughlin, Avici (22 points), Bill Lakenmacher, Radiance (32), Uzi Ozeri, Infinity (46), Mark Young, Killer Rabbit (50), Greg Turman, Horny Toad (51). Eleven teams competed. Photos (courtesy of John Lacy Photography) are available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacyphotos/sets/72157642007204024/, and complete results are available at the