Local Men Race in Ensign Regatta
Labelles Take Three of Four Top Finishes

Cedarville cottagers Thomas and Franklin Labelle won first place in three out of the four races at the Ensign Class Region V Regatta Friday, July 14, and Sunday, July 16, at Pentwater. The race is a regional competition among Ensign sailors from around the upper Great Lakes, including Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The Labelles participated in their Ensign sailboat Foxy Lady, which they also race in the Les Cheneaux Islands.

On Lake Michigan, the boat proved true to her namesake, outfoxing the 19 other boats in the race to take two first place finishes Friday. Winds were brisk Friday, but nonexistent the next day, so the Saturday races were called off.

During the Sunday races, the Labelles won first place in the first race of the day and took second in the next, earning the crew a total score of five. The next highest score was 11. Races are scored on the order in which boats finish the course.

The Ensign sailboat is 22.5 feet in length, with a full keel. In addition to jib and main sails, it also can fly a colorful spinnaker on down wind legs of the triangular race course. The boat is usually crewed by a skipper and two or three other sailors.

Ensign Fleet 70 of the Pentwater Yacht Club hosted the annual Region V Regatta this year.