Wilmer/McLaughlin Master Light Conditions at J/105 North American Championship

Rod Wilmer and Terry McLaughlin excelled in the light air of the opening day of the J/105 North American Championship hosted by Royal Canadian Yacht Club in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. McLaughlin (current J/105 Midwinter Champion and Sail Canada’s Rolex Sailor of the Year) and the Mandate team tallied at 1,3,2 in Thursday’s contests for a two point advantage. Rick Goebel’s Sanity stands in second with 8 points. Following closely in third is Peter Hall’s Jamaica Me Crazy (9 points) and James Rathbun’s Hey Jude (current J/105 North American Champion) with 10 points. The fleet of 27 J/105s took to the waters of Lake Ontario under sunny skies with temperatures in the low 70s. The winds began around 4 knots when the Wilmer/McLaughlin team grabbed the regatta’s first victory. Rathbun trailed in second and Goebel in third. In the next battle, Goebel took line honors, as Hall and Wilmer/McLaughlin followed. Rathbun moved to the top spot in the day’s last race in winds hovering at 6 knots. Wilmer/McLaughlin were the runner up, with Hall in third. Twenty-seven teams are competing from Bermuda, Canada and the United States. Racing continues through Sunday, but no races took place on Friday due to lack of wind. Photos from Tim Wilkes, as well as complete results are available at the