Youngstown Yacht Club host second Annual Can Am Challenge

by Amy Reynolds on 20 Jun 2015 While the Youngstown Level Regatta is a thing of the past, the Youngstown Yacht Club is still innovating both on and off the water. In 2014, YYC envisioned a replacement event called the Can Am Challenge; a one-design and pursuit class style racing format that emphasizes a friendly rivalry between the United States and Canada, with each country vying for bragging rights!

This year’s CanAm Challenge will take place July 25-26, carrying forward the same time slot as the previous Level Regatta. It will feature great racing and fabulous on shore fun. The name signifies an overall contest for bragging rights between the Canadian and US boats sailing in the event. In the Inaugural Regatta in 2014, the Canadian Skippers came out victorious both on the water and the onshore Street Hockey Tournament. Moreover, as with year’s past, the CanAm Challenge will host the Thursday evening (July 23) Village Appreciation Party on Main Street. Please come out and enjoy some good food, drink, friends and music!

One Design classes currently registered include eight Metres, J24, J22, Beneteau 10R, Beneteau 36.7, J27, J105, J70, J88, Melges 24, Laser 28, and Sharks. Any class with five boats registered will compete as a One Design Class, and all other boats can participate in a Pursuit Race with both Spinnaker and Non-Flying Sails classes. The Can Am Challenge will serve as the US Championship for the Shark Class, and part of North Sails Summer of Fun for the J22 class. In addition to the on the water racing, the Can Am Challenge will include a Street Hockey Tournament on Saturday evening, and live music on Friday, Saturday and Sunday!

Regatta Co-Chairs Jason Suitor and Tim Finkle are busy making 2015 bigger and better than last year and hope to see you in Youngstown the last weekend of July!