505 North American Championship at Kingston Yacht Club

505 North American Championship © Michael Quirk

A strong fleet was challenged by mixed conditions and tight racing over four days on the fresh water of Lake Ontario. With four of the current top five boats in the world competing, the battle for the podium places was always destined to be tough.

However the renowned Kingston seabreeze "wasn't normally like this" and the fleet endured challenging racing with shifty and variable breeze which made racing particularly challenging. Current world Champions Mike Martin and Adam Lowry (USA) ultimately managed the conditions to win with a comfortable lead over ex World Champion Howie Hamlin (USA) sailing with relative newcomer Russ Clark from the UK who started his 5o5 racing recently with wife Penny Clark in the UK Association boat.

505 North American Championship - photo © Michael Quirk

"To compete with and against some of the best in the world has been a true privilege" said Russ Clark. "My trip to Canada has been incredible, our hosts have shown generosity above and beyond and I cant wait to come back."

"The standard is the highest we have seen at a North American's" said 2019 World Champion Mike Martin who acknowledged the younger members of the fleet in recognition of the wide appeal of the 505 to the sailors across the age range.

Based at Kingston Yacht Club the 505 fleet has been magnificently hosted by the locals with a relaxed and friendly social scene ashore and good quality race management afloat.

Overall Results:

505 event page: int505.org/north-american-championship-2019