Trophy Photos - Johnny Kitchie Action Photos - sandy@sandysondrol.comPRO Mark Tesar was able to utilize all of Clear Lake Yacht Club-Iowa course area to get 8 races in at the 2024 ILYA Champs for the National Class E Scow Association over the 3 days of racing in medium to heavy wind. Aided by Vakaros’ Race Sense sponsored by the ILYA Bilge Pullers he and his team were without a single general recall.
Once again, past ILYA champions congregated at the top of the leaderboard. Tim Krech sailing the M-20 shot out to a day one lead after 3 races with 2023 E National Champion M-9 Tom Burton right on his heels. However, on day two, 2023 ILYA E Champion Eddie Cox in the I-66 and multiple year past champion Vincent Porter at the helm of the I-2 invoked their collective acumen to jump to the top of the standings with race wins (Eddie races 4&5, Vincent race 6).
The Surf Ballroom set a stunning backdrop for the six race trophies that were handed out Friday evening with Vincent Porter clinging to a slim lead.
The depth of the E fleet was on display as seven different sailors captured Race wins with only Eddie Cox winning twice. However, similar to the C Fleet on the other side of the lake, consistency would win out in the end. Tom Burton finished the series utilizing a 9th as his throw-out edging 2nd place Eddie Cox who was sailing with Coye Harrett, Finn Burdick and wife Molly, at the line in the final race to cement the victory with a solid line of 1-2-7-5-6-(9)-4-4.
Augie Barkow, sailing the X-7 Bigwheels with his children Will and Molly along with friend Owen Black all under 14 years of age sailed a spectacular regatta to take third. Vincent with brothers Corbett and Clifford joined by Connor Jewett took fourth, while Tim Krech, Ben Burton and Matt Resch sailing M-20 came in 5th in spite of winning Race 3.
Eric Good, Chad Rechcygl, Taylor Just and Lindsay Good from Pewaukee sailing the V-15 won Race 2, while Peter Strothman sailing with his two sons and John Lynch on I-9 Rooster continued the youth movement to triumph in Race 7. Finally Jonathan Bailey sailing the V-39 closed out the regatta by winning Race 8 with his crew Jack Behrend and Cole Schweda.
Home lake sailor Emily Haugerud with husband David, dad Stu Oltrogge and Deb Tesar placed 26th to edge out the M-16 Mermaid Squad to take home Top Female Sailor. Augie Barkow was runner up Corinthian sailor to the 2024 ILYA Champion M-9 Tom Burton with crew Bruce Martinson, Max Sigel and Hannah Noll sailing Cygnet.
Congratulations to the M-9 and all of the sailors!
Clear Lake is host to the 2025 ILYA E Invite, so E sailors, go home and tell everyone what a blast Clear Lake is to sail at.
