Terry McLaughlin and Rod Wilmer’s Mandate rules J/105 North Americans

by Julie and Christopher Howell on 24 Oct 2016 It took until the sixth race of the Stella Artois J/105 North American Championship before another team could cross the finish line ahead of Terry McLaughlin and Rod Wilmer’s Mandate.

Following five consecutive bullets, the Canadian team (including crew Graham Hicks, Fraser Howell, Evert McLaughlin and John Millen) added a two, three to end the seven-race series with just 10 points, earning their second J/105 North American Championship title in \three years. By virtue of a six in Sunday’s only contest.

Bruce Stone and Nicole Breault’s Good Trade took second place, winning the tie-breaker on points at 27 with local Damian Emery on Eclipse. Larchmont Yacht Club in New York hosted the four-day event for 37 teams representing Bermuda, Canada, Great Britain and the USA.

Bill Lakenmacher’s Radiance won the seventh and final race of the event in breeze that started around 25 knots, and then increased to 35 by the end. “If we had another race, we might have worn hockey helmets,” joked McLaughlin. “This was good Canadian weather, and a real test of crew work.” Rod Wilmer added, “We had solid starts, focused on finding a lane and getting clear to stay out of trouble.”

Top Five:

1. Mandate, CAN83, Terry McLaughlin / Rod Wilmer - 1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -2 -3; 10
2. Good Trade, USA96, Bruce Stone / Nicole Breault - 2 -4 -3 -8 -3 -1 -6; 27
3. Eclipse, USA50, Damian Emery - 4 -2 -2 -3 -2 -3 -11; 27
4. loulou, USA334, Paul Beaudin - 7 -7 -6 -6 -4 -8 -12; 50
5. Mad Blue, GBR8, Adrian Owles - 3 -5 -7 -12 -18 -4 -2; 51