T. Freytag reigns at A Scow National Championship
by Hannah Noll 22 Jun 23:08 PDT
June 19-20, 2025
Madcap leads the charge © Hannah Lee Noll
Thomas Freytag's I-7 Madcap takes the win at the A Scow National Championship in Madison, Wisconsin.
Lake Mendota served up three days of heavy-air, top-end racing for twenty teams, hosted by the University of Wisconsin Hoofers Sailing Club.
The title came down to a fierce duel between Madcap and Pat Hughes's M-21 Melvin, helmed by Kyle Navin. Just one point separated the two going into the final race.
Following classic Scow traditions, Freytag's I-7 team features family at the heart of the win. Hailing from Lake Geneva Yacht Club, Freytag's team includes tactician Sam Rogers, Nate Freytag, Bo Freytag, Aran Freytag, Dylan Freytag, Mac Six, and Alex Vondersitt. This marks Freytag's fourth national title in the National Class A Scow Association.
Navin, taking the helm of Melvin this year, paired up with Eddie Cox on tactics. Representing Minnetonka Yacht Club, the team sailed consistently and finished second overall. Defending champion Vincent Porter and the I-49 Full Throttle squad closed strong with a race win to seal the third overall podium seat.
Twice a year, the 'Maxis of the Midwest' line up for titles dating back more than a century. Steeped in tradition, but thoroughly modern, the A Scow is 38 feet of flat-bottomed speed: raw, fast, and fiercely Corinthian.
PRO Mark Deguire & Vakaros RaceSense teamed up to deliver five solid races in shifty, testing conditions.
Next stop: the ILYA Championship in Oshkosh this August.