News » N332 Wins Chicago Mackinac

Dr Michael Leland’s ‘turbocharged’  Najad 332  “HOPE” , with retractable bowsprit and a tall carbon mast has just today won his class in the prestigious annual 400 mile Chicago Mackinac race.  Despite being one of the smallest boats in his class – he finished a whopping NINE HOURS ahead of the next boat in actual time, and 2 hours ahead on corrected time. 

The plucky 33 footer was almost a day quicker than a huge  Ocean 60 , in actual time.

A tired and thrilled Dr Leland said “The boat and crew performed beautifully, this boat is everything I wanted her to be, and it sails as if it is on rails in conditions that would be thoroughly uncomfortable in many other boats – especially of its size”.

When the 2 cruising fleets results are combined -  HOPE is 5th out of an entry of 45 boats  (missing first place by 50 minutes) and the other Najad entered – Tom Dicksons Najad 405  LUGNUTS , competing in her 3rd Chicago Mac race,  was 14th.

This year’s event is sadly marred by the loss of 2 sailors when a competing boat capsized during a violent thunder squall with 52 kt winds.

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Chicago-Mackinac---strong-conditions-ahead-for-big-fleet/86047