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Sailors postponed for fireworks,
but got some, plus a rainbow


Grosse Pointe Boat Club sailors moved their Wednesday race to Thursday (June 25) to avoid the Freedom Festival fireworks, only to end up being treated to Mother Nature’s own fireworks–and a shower. With lighting flashing a few miles away, the dock committee raised the red-and-white-striped postponement flag, expecting to wait 15 minutes and hoping they would not have to fly the blue-and-white-checked “race abandoned” flag. As is typical, the squall blew through and the racers were left with a fabulous rainbow and a pleasant evening for racing.

The fleet started downwind and upstream giving them a pretty fair beat from the first to the second mark. This spread the boats out and provided some passing opportunities. To make up time for the delayed start, both fleets were sent off at the same time.

In the B fleet, Don Healy got off to a nice lead and maintained it around the course to take the gun—er…horn, sorry Don, the gun misfired. Lee Nyboer decided at the last minute to singlehand and after a late start was able to catch and eventually pass Brad Birch’s son-in-law, Sean Spence, and friend Miguel Piecuch racing in Brad’s absence. So far it looks like Brad will not have to worry about the young guys showing him up.

In the A fleet, George Young took the start, and he led the fleet around the course to take the gun and save his time for first place. Peter Polasek was able to pass Dale Scrace by staying close and waiting for Dale to take the pink ball too wide. Peter was then close enough to sail over the top on the next leg.

Long-time sailor Jay Kaiser is chairman of the Grosse Pointe Boat Club's sail race committee.

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