Boaters are gathering on Lake Superior for the Canadian Lightning Sailing Championships.
The Lightning class of sailboat measures 19ft and 700lbs, requiring a crew of three people.
Thunder Bay’s non-profit Temple Reef Sailing Club is hosting the event, which was originally scheduled for 2020 and delayed by the pandemic.
Vice Commodore Lorrie Walsh says it’s a relief to be able to host the event. They were given the go-ahead once COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in July.
“So we’ve had not much time to prepare, but everyone has really come together in the community to help us out,” she says.
14 teams are taking part Saturday and Sunday.
“It is smaller than usual this year, because of some COVID restrictions still,” Walsh admits. “We usually have more boats from the States joining us for this, almost 50 per cent usually, and now there’s only a couple coming.”
The race are taking place past the breakwall beginning at 11:00 AM on Saturday and 10:00 AM on Sunday.
The top two Canadian teams will automatically qualify for the Lightning Class World Championships next year held in North Carolina.
