505 North American Championship 2025 at Kingston Yacht Club

After four days of thrilling competition on the waters of the St. Lawrence River, 505 class legends Howie Hamlin and Jeff Nelson secured their first 505 North American Championship title as a team, adding another championship feather to their cap. Battling it out for the podium, Mike Martin / Adam Lowry finished second, while Mike Holt / Carl Smit rounded out the podium in third.

This will be Hamlin's eighth and Nelson's fifth North American title, but this year is the first time they've been able to clinch the title as a team.

505 North American Championship 2025 - photo © Lexi Pline Photography

"There's nothing like winning, but this one is extra sweet. Jeff and I have been sailing together for many years, and yet the North Americans trophy has eluded us, so it was really important for me to finally deliver the speed that Jeff needs to execute his tactical brilliance," said Hamlin.

"Jeff's just a phenomenal sailor. In 505 sailing there's nothing harder than crewing - crews have to be a 220 pound ballerina that's a tactical genius and who can make the boat go fast, and Jeff delivers on all of those things."

"We talked a little bit before the week, it's Howard's 50th anniversary of his first NAs, it's my 25th, and it certainly hasn't gotten easier over the years," said Nelson of the event. "It felt great to win in this venue where it's been more moderate conditions, not just a one-side race track that's all about boatspeed; it was very tactically difficult and tricky both upwind and downwind."

505 North American Championship 2025 - photo © Lexi Pline Photography

Hamlin and Nelson excelled in the mid-range conditions, where they were able to use their tactical skills to best their competition. They credit their consistency, good starts, and downwind speed to their success. And what a success it was - the pair won seven of 12 races, with only two scores outside the top five.

Hosted by the Kingston Yacht Club, the 2025 championship brought together 36 teams from across the United States and Canada, showcasing the depth, talent, and camaraderie of the 505 class. From world champions to parent-child teams and new faces in the fleet, competitors celebrated what makes the class unique: speed, skill, and community.

505 North American Championship 2025 - photo © Lexi Pline Photography

The regatta kicked off a solid east breeze, unusual for Kingston, as a building thermal breeze carried the fleet through four competitive opening races. Early leaders Mike Holt/Carl Smit were closely trailed by Hamlin/Nelson and Nic Baird/Eric Anderson, setting the stage for a tightly contested championship.

Mid-regatta, Hamlin and Nelson hit their stride in the moderate, flat-water conditions, delivering a string of podium finishes that positioned them firmly atop the standings. Behind them, the battle for the remaining podium spots intensified. A tie between Mike Martin/Adam Lowry and Mike Holt/Carl Smit kept the pressure high, while Baird/Anderson and Doug Hagan/Arne Wittemer remained in striking distance, with few points between them in fourth and fifth, respectively.

505 North American Championship 2025 - photo © Lexi Pline Photography

Overall Results: