Canada Victorious

Bill ABBOTT, his wife Joanne and Paul Davis have emerged as victors of the 2004 World Masters Champions, held from the shores of Lake Michigan.

It was back in 1969 when Bill first met Joanne inviting her to see his first Soling, the first one in Canada, with a smooth red colour parked in his backyard. Yesterday, together with Paul DAVIS he won the World Masters title from the European hands of Karl HAIST from Germany, George WOSSALA from Hungary (three titles), and Carl AUTERIED from Austria.

In a close battle that turned into match racing Stu WALKER, Doug LOUP, and Andrew DIZER from Annapolis beat Joe HOEKSEMA his wife Rose and Matias COLLINS who finished third.

Jim MEDLEY, Mark HULBERT and Raiden HASEGAWA finished fourth after taking a left tack in the lead at the first race, saw all chances disappear when the breeze come fresh into the course from the right, leaving him into the middle of the fleet. The same happened to Charlie KAMPS, John WALTON and Vitas KASUINAS who finished in sixth. It was a good day for the Johnsson family who finished with a third and a fourth and kept climbing positions after a redress given in the third race finishing at the overall results into the fifth place.

The event was excellent, and the parties were astonishing with the best three minute history of each skipper in the Soling class. There was excellent food and drinks and the organization by the Wilmette Harbour and Sheridan Shore Yacht Club was well done.

Next Soling Masters will be back into Europe next year and some of the sailors are already planning the trip.

Overall Results