Mandate Wins J105 NAs
Oct 10, 2024
Seven Canadian boats headed to Cleveland for the 2024 J105 NAs September 24-29. Consistency proved to be the highlight, as now four-time winner Terry McLaughlin and Rod Wilmer’s Mandate came out on top at the J/105 North American Championship in Cleveland, OH. Fraser Howell, Ian Howes, Andrew Kenny and John Millen from Royal Canadian Yacht Club in Toronto accomplished the feat without a first-place finish. Bill Zartler’s Deja Voodoo was a close second and Tim Russell’s NeNe, a competitive third.
Weather was part of the fun: Lake Erie delivered fierce conditions Friday for day two Winds were consistent at 14-18 knots with gusts in the mid-20s and waves well above six feet. Leftover seas challenged sailors on the third day of racing, mixing up the standings. Going into the final day, only three points separated the top three spots.