The Thrilla from Da Middle- the Red Fox Regatta
(Charlevoix, MI)- Hosted by the Charlevoix Yacht Club for more than 50 years, the premier event of the local racing season takes place every Labor Day weekend on Lake Charlevoix in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan- the Red Fox Regatta.
The weekend event comprises two events. It kicks off with the NuCore Triangle race on Friday evening and concludes with a two-day race the length of Lake Charlevoix from Charlevoix to Boyne City and back.
About the NuCore Triangle
There’s no better way to kick off a fun Labor Day weekend than with the NuCore Triangle race on Friday evening. Whether you race regularly with the Charlevoix Yacht Club or are in town for the Red Fox Regatta, you’ll enjoy the competition in this Olympic Triangle race at the west end of Lake Charlevoix. Following the race, the Charlevoix Yacht Club provides copious quantities of food and drinks for skippers, crew. and guests.
About the Red Fox Regatta
Treasured by sailors and their families, this two-day event begins on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend with a race down the length of Lake Charlevoix to Boyne City. That evening, sailors enjoy a club-hosted party at the Veterans Pavilion on the waterfront, with family-friendly activities including the Raingutter Regatta.
Sunday features a race back to the top of Lake Charlevoix, culminating in an afternoon Awards Ceremony at the Charlevoix Yacht Club. It’s a fun-filled event that attracts sailors from all around the Great Lakes, marking the grand finale of the summer racing season.
For the most part, the race traversing the length of Lake Charlevoix can be a complete “crap shoot”, e.g., a “roll of the dice”. Why? Because the prevailing west to southwest winds on Lake Michigan don’t often make the “hop” across the narrow isthmus of Charlevoix onto the lake. And, with a WNW to ESE orientation for the lake, the winds can be very fickle, streaky, and puffy. As a result, one side of the lake can be favored over the other side, despite the fact that the lake is less than one mile wide at its “fattest” points.
While blessed with spectacular weather this year, the 2025 edition of the Nucore Triangle and the Red Fox Regatta will have to make do with just two races due to a cancellation on one day. Here is how it all went down this year at each event.
NuCore Triangle
This race on Friday evening was blessed with wind, so the fleet had good racing in front of the Charlevoix YC bar.
J/22 Class
Since this was the J/22 Michigan Class Championship, a great fleet of ten boats showed up to lay claim to being the best J/22 on the peninsula of Michigan. Winning this race was Bob Grove’s PALE FACE LIGHT. Second went to Chris Shadek’s WINDY CITY, and third place to Robert Molter’s TACTFUL.
PHRF 4
In this seven-boat class, it was George Golder’s J/111 TERRIER that took the silver medal. Meanwhile, Colin Calaban’s J/111 NO QUARTER took fourth, and Mark Pirie’s J/111 SWATTER took fifth place.
Red Fox Regatta
While the weather was beautiful, the wind wasn’t. Just one race was held for this event.
J/22 Class
Winning the one race was Tom Barnes’s RECKLESS. He was followed by Robert Molter’s TACTFUL, and Bill English’s COMMADORE RACING Team.
PHRF 3
Despite having a won-place-show in many previous Red Fox Regattas, local starlet and rock goddess Libby Tomlinson and partner Rob Lovell could only manage a 4th place this year on their J/92 KNOCKOUT. Fifth in fleet was Colin Texter’s J/70 SISTERSHIP. Fifth place went to Ben Poucher’s J/95 WARRIOR 95, a noble program for veterans!
PHRF 5
Winning this fleet was Keith Attee’s J/120 ROCKET SCIENCE; they seem to get on the podium most times with this veteran crew.
PHRF 6
This fleet saw a clean sweep of the top four spots by J/Teams. Winning was Colin Caliban’s J/111 NO QUARTER. He was followed by George Golder’s J/111 TERRIOR in second, Matt Schaedler’s J/122 BLITZKRIEG in third, and Mark Pirie’s J/111 SWATTER in fourth place.
For more Red Fox Regatta sailing information
http://www.charlevoixyachtclub.org/red-fox-regatta/schedule.html