When the elapsed time records for the Trans Erie Yacht Race were set in 1999, most sailors expected them to last for a long time, based on the windy conditions the fleet experienced during that race. No one expected them to fall only one year later, but that is exactly what happened, as the 2000 Trans Erie produced a new elapsed time record, under conditions that were almost a carbon copy of the 1999 race.

Jon Somes’ J-44, Sagitta, sailing in the doublehanded division with crew Dave Bauermeister, sailed the 140 nautical mile course from Erie, PA to the finish at the Detroit light in Western Lake Erie in 18 hours, 25 minutes, breaking Bob Coleman’s record of last year by more than an hour. Sagitta also beat all the crewed boats in the PHRF division on both elapsed and corrected time, in a very convincing fashion.

The fleet of 31 boats in five classes began the race on Friday afternoon, August 18^th, in a light Northerly wind, which soon built to 15-20 knots, and held through the night, carrying the fleet across the Lake on a close jib reach. The wind began clocking slightly easterly by

Saturday morning, allowing many boats to fly asymmetrical spinnakers into Point Pelee. The wind then backed to the Northwest, turning the last 35 miles into a one legged beat, complete with 40 degree shifts that Northwesterly breezes on Lake Erie are famous for.

Jim Bourgault’s X-3/4 tonner, Gus, was the third boat to finish, and corrected to first in PHRF B, and took overall PHRF Division honors as well. In the PHRF A Class, Fritz Peterson, sailing Heartbreaker, an Evelyn 32, took the first place flag. In second was Dave Carracci, with his Benateau 38, Hurricane, followed in third by Air Rocket, Kurt Groenendaal’s J-105. In PHRF B, Gus dominated the fleet with his first, followed by Frank Noto’s Jeanneau 36, Cajun, with third going to John Griener with Red Cloud, his Santana 35. The PHRF C Class was led by Dave Grassley’s Cal 33, Fair Winds, followed By Ron Konczalski’s Tartan 34 , Quest, in second, and Kerry Deihl in third with his Ericson 32, Cary On.

The MORC Fleet turned into a "pig" fest, with Dick Robertson’s Mariah 27, Pigs at Sea taking first, and Tom Van Cleave’s Santana 30/30 GP, Pig Scow in second. The only non-pig boat in the money was Matt Dubois’ Mariah 27, Hat Trick, who took third.

The Double handed class was led by Sagitta, followed in second by Gary Bernard’s Viking 28, Gold Rush, and Jack Wood in third with his Pearson 30, L’Cheiim.

Last Updated on 1/10/01
By TE RACE COMMITTEE