sailboat races duluth mn

Sailing For All!

The mission of the Duluth-Superior Sailing Association is to offer the joy of sailing to the entire Duluth-Superior community, regardless of skill level, physical capabilities, or financial means.

The DSSA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on donations to run our various sailing programs.  If you can afford to make a tax-deductible donation, this is greatly appreciated.  We are committed to providing sailing opportunities for all, regardless of ability to pay.

Our Programs

Youth summer camps.

Youth sailing and water activity camps are held at the DSSA Pier on Park Point throughout the summer.

Open Sailing

Already a sailor? Then become a member of the DSSA and enjoy the use of our diverse fleet of trainers, racers, and daysailers.

Cruise Boats

With a membership and a small day-use fee, experienced cruisers have access to the DSSA's motorized cruise boats.

Sailors with Disabilities

Sailors with disabilities are encouraged to join us as regular members, free of charge!

Daily Membership

Not ready to buy a full annual membership? We offer daily memberships: $10/day under age 30, and $20/day over age 30

Laser / Anything Goes Races

Check the calendar for the race schedule! Races are usually hosted on Friday evenings.

Private Lessons for all ages

Private lessons are available for adults, students (young adults), families, and groups.

ASA Basic Keel Boat Certification

Offered in conjunction with Sail Away Sailing School LLC.

From Day Sailers to Cruise Boats, our fleet has boats for beginning sailors, experienced skippers, and everyone in between!

2024 DSSA Membership

We require all individuals who take lessons or go sailing through the DSSA to first become members. This is necessary for insurance purposes, and to help fund our many programs!

GROUP PROGRAMS

We can also provide programs for group sailing, adaptive sailing, and special topic sailing clinics and courses.

Pier Calendar

Use our calendar to see open sailing hours and check for pier closings due to weather or special events.

• Open Sailing will close an hour early if no boats are on the water at that time.
• The pier will close in inclement or unsafe weather conditions.

DSSA friends and members, we are sharing information regarding the loss of an original member, past president, and inspiring Scott Anderson.

Below is a tribute to scott.

Message from Jim Sharrow, Duluth Superior Sailing Association

We are saddened by Scott’s untimely passing and want to extend our deepest sympathy to his family, friends and associates.

Scott was a long-term leader in our community sailing program. We were formed in 1984 as a joint venture between Duluth Parks and Recreation and the 4H program. Scott became involved during this period and helped the program grow to include adaptive sailing for disabled persons. In the mid-1990s our organization incorporated into a 501 (c ) (3)   non-profit organization that now operates as the Duluth Superior Sailing Association (DSSA). Scott was an early president of the association and was continuously active, supporting our adaptive sailing program up to his death. It was his desire that we establish a fund in his name to support adaptive sailing infrastructure as well as participation by disabled and disadvantaged sailors of all ages.   The fund is named the Scott R. Anderson “sailing for all” Memorial Fund.

We encourage you to view the 4 minute Make a Hero- Adaptive Sailing video that features Scott. In it he relates his motto of playing with the cards he was dealt in life. He describes sailing as “you, the wind and water… That’s it; everything goes away.” His sailing wasn’t limited to participation in our adaptive sailing program that we accomplish in conjunction with the Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute. He was a member of our organization who has sailed often like any other member. He also participated with the Duluth Yacht Club for many years as part of the crew on a 33’ boat in the Wednesday night races on Lake Superior. Scott was an inspirational leader in many ways and will be greatly missed.

Jim Sharrow, on behalf of the DSSA Board of Directors

Duluth Superior Sailing Association

Make A Hero: Adaptive Water Sports, Scott Anderson, Duluth, MN

2024 News & Events  

Volunteers needed for sailing pier work days, saturdays may 11th and 18th 2024 9am-12pm., members and volunteers needed to help get the dssa sailing pier ready for the 2024 season  we will need help cleaning boats, putting docks in the water, and organizing equipment.  please contact with any question or just show up on the dates, open house saturday june 8th 12pm-6pm, free sailing rides, come learn about the sailing programs we have to offer and what will be new for the 2024 season  you will also be able to sign up for memberships and sailing lessons.  there will be free sailing rides offered , 2024 youth camp registration info, how to register your youth sailing camper(s) properly, dssa youth camp registration policy..

#1   Starting March 1st 2024 only by email can you register your youth camper(s).  You will be emailing [email protected] to register. 

#2  The youth camper(s) you are registering must reside in your household and/or you are legally responsible for them.

#3  Each youth camper is allowed to sign up for three sessions each.

Beginner camps are for novice and new sailors.

Basic camps are open to all no matter their skill level.

Advanced camps are for sailors with prior experience and can sail a dinghy independently.

#4  If you would like to be put on the waitlist for an extra session please indicate that in the email (waitlist will open June 3rd 2024).

#5  Information that needs to be in the registration email.

Subject: Parent/Guardian Full name and phone number.

Email: Campers Full name, age, and what session(s) you would like to sign up for.  Please add any questions you have or indicate if you would like to be put on the waitlist for an extra session.

#6  You will receive a confirmation email within 3-4 business days with the next steps of registration (paperwork and payment).

#7   Please call, text, or email at anytime if you have questions about the Youth Camp Registration Policy, our youth sailing camps, or our sailing program!

Email: [email protected]              Phone: 218-260-0961

2024 Youth Camp Dates and Tuition.  

#1 (Open)   June 24-28   (Ages 12-17) . . . Basic Sailing Camp 9am-4pm . . . . . . . $325.00

#2 (Open) July 1-3   (Ages 7-17) . . . Beginner morning Camp 8:30am-12pm . . . $120.00

#3 (Open) July 1-3   (Ages 7-17) . . . Beginner afternoon Camp 1pm-4:30pm . . . $120.00

#4 (Open) July 8-12   (Ages 7-11) . . . Basic Sailing Camp 9am-4pm . . . . . . . . .   $325.00

#5 (Open) July 15-19   (Ages 12-17) . . . Basic Sailing Camp 9am-4pm . . . . . . .   $325.00

#6 (Open) July 22-26   (Ages 7-11) . . . Basic Sailing Camp 9am-4pm . . . . . . . .   $325.00

#7 (FULL)   July 29-August 2   (Ages 7-17) . . . Beginner Sailing Camp 9am-4pm     $325.00

#8 (Open) July 29-August 2   (Ages 7-17) . . . Advanced Sailing Camp 9am-4pm   $325.00

#9 (Open)   August 5-9   (Ages 7-11) . . . Basic Sailing Camp 9am-4pm . . . . . . . .   $325.00

#10 (FULL)   August 12-16   (Ages 7-17) . . . Advanced Sailing Camp 9am-4pm . .   $325.00

2024 Adult Group Beginner/Introduction to Sailing Lessons

Session #1    Sat. June 1st 9am-12pm and Sat. June 8th 9am-12pm.  

$110 for DSSA annual members or $150 for non-annual members.

Session #2 Mon. June 10th 5pm-8pm and Mon. June 17th 5pm-8pm.

Contact us for scheduling.  Email: [email protected]   Phone: 218-260-0961

Scott R. Anderson Sailing for All Memorial Fund

The Scott R. Anderson “Sailing for all”Memorial fund supports both able and disabled sailor participants of all ages at the Duluth-Superior Sailing Association.  Its focus is to ensure that any person can participate, regardless of financial or physical ability.

Donations can be made to the Scott R. Anderson Sailing for All Memorial Fund at the Duluth Superior Sailing Association, P. O. Box 3094, Duluth, MN 55803. Write checks to “DSSA” with the notation “Scott R. Anderson Fund.”

What I learned from my first Duluth Sailing lesson by DNT’s Jay Gabler

Duluth News Tribune arts and entertainment reporter Jay Gabler comes to the DSSA for his first sailing lesson!

https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/lifestyle/front-row-seat-what-i-learned-from-my-first-duluth-sailing-lesso

• Eureka Springs
• Hot Springs
• Carmel-by-the-Sea
• Laguna Beach
• Little River
• Newport Beach
• Paso Robles
• Pismo Beach
• Placerville
• San Clemente
• Colorado Springs
• Manitou Springs
• Sautee Nacoochee
• Laupahoehoe
• Edwardsville
• Jacksonville
• Algiers Point
• Crown Point
• Madisonville
• New Orleans
• Bailey Island
• Dover Foxcroft
• Sangerville
• South Freeport
• Chestertown
• Buzzards Bay
• Centerville
• East Dennis
• East Orleans
• East Sandwich
• New Bedford
• North Truro
• Provincetown
• West Barnstable
• Yarmouth Port
• Knife River
• Two Harbors
• Point Lookout
• Long Valley
• North Wildwood
• Wildwood Crest
• Albuquerque
• Central Valley
• Cornwall-on-Hudson
• Dover Plains
• Highland Mills
• Hudson Valley
• Niagara Falls
• Poughkeepsie
• Ransomville
• Salisbury Mills
• Washingtonville
• Black Mountain
• Robbinsville
• Weaverville
• Williamston
• Millersburg
• New Philadelphia
• Oklahoma City
• Bird-In-Hand
• Gordonville
• Honey Brook
• Hummelstown
• Intercourse
• Kennett Square
• New Holland
• Newmanstown
• Sadsburyville
• Mountain City
• Roan Mountain
• Fredericksburg
• Charlottesville
• Fisherville
• Gloucester Point
• Harrisonburg
• Mt. Crawford
• Stuarts Draft
• Virginia Beach
• Williamsburg
• Ice Skating
• Outfitters & Guides
• Plane Rides
• Bars & Lounges
• Coffee Shops
• Distilleries
• Burgers and Diners
• Casual Dining
• Fine Dining
• Frozen Yogurt
• Nature Centers
• Antique Shops
• Consignment
• Specialty Foods
• Sporting Goods
• Bed & Breakfasts
• Boat and Ferry
• Carriage Rides

Wednesday Night Sailboat Races in Lake Superior

Posted by Joy Fischer on June 16, 2016

• Share on Facebook.
• Share on Twitter.
• Share on Google+

Address: 601 South Lake Avenue , Duluth , MN 55802

Latitude/Longitude: 46.779274, -92.092316

Start Date: May 18, 2016

End Date: Sep 14, 2016

Web site: click here

Pricing: Free

Description:

Don’t miss the sailboat races in Lake Superior every Wednesday night from May into September in Duluth Minnesota. The Duluth Keel Club organizes the event and puts on quite a show in the largest freshwater lake in North America. Make sure to bring your camera to take pictures of your favorite sailboat and magnificent pictures of the big lake. The Duluth Keel Club encourages the sport of sailing in Lake Superior and fellowship among sailors of all ages and stages.

The sailboats begin to sail under the Aerial Lift Bridge in Duluth Minnesota out into the big lake around 5:00 p.m. with racing beginning at 6 p.m. The sailboat races can be viewed in Canal Park and anywhere along the port of entry, the Duluth Lake Walk, or in your favorite restaurant located along the shores of Lake Superior. There’s nothing more beautiful than seeing the colorful sails and the beautiful blue water at this weekly event. You may see some kayakers paddling around the shore or small pleasure boats taking in the sail boat races on Wednesday nights.

Review this Happening!

StarTribune

Lake superior as race course: first yachts sail into duluth to finish trans superior.

DULUTH — Talisman was the first yacht to cross an imaginary finish line between a temporary buoy and the lighthouse on the north pier in Canal Park — giving skip Bruce Aikens and the his crew bragging rights, if not the outright win, in the Trans Superior Yacht Race.

It was a mostly quiet first finish on Monday afternoon. A race official honked a horn from the pier in front of a handful of onlookers. Back at race headquarters, behind the Garden, the celebratory sparkling wine was on ice.

The biennial race started Saturday in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario with three dozen yachts from a mix of classes competing. Each vessel has a handicap rating — like in golf — that plays into its final standings. In preliminary scoring, Amante 2, with Saginaw, Mich., skip Greg Velez, was listed as fastest finisher, followed by mc2, led by Dan Lewis, out of North Oaks.

Regardless of where it falls in final standings, Talisman's finish is its own victory.

"We do make a big deal about the first one to finish," said Stacy McKenzie, president of the Duluth Yacht Club, holding the title of commodore. "We've got a big plaque for them and we bring Champagne to the boat."

As of Tuesday morning, just five boats had finished. More were expected in the afternoon and into the night, according to McKenzie. Some would likely miss the awards ceremony.

"It's real slow," McKenzie said.

On Monday afternoon, Talisman, a 58-foot slate-grey yacht, circled near the shore while it waited for the Aerial Lift Bridge to rise. Then it passed through the canal to park in the bay behind the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.

"What a race," Aikens said from aboard, sails down, as the crew of 10 others tended to the yacht.

Aikens, of West Bloomfield, Mich., has competed on this course five times, but this is his first time earning first-to-finish honors. Stories from along the route would take two days to tell, Aikens said, but the short version is that the winds were fickle. As is the standard, the crew members were on watch for four hours, then off for four hours to maintain clear focus. It's hard work, Aikens said, and if you're tired, you're stupid.

"I cannot stress enough how great a racecourse Lake Superior is," Aikens said. "There are so many dimensions that are hard to figure out."

And, he added, it's gorgeous.

Aikens and company were still dealing with the complexities of this course in the final 5 miles, where Talisman could get caught in a lull — then off it would go as the water turned scaly and rippled.

"That was a sweet little puff," said Dave Johnson, watching the final miles of the race from the yacht club's boat.

McKenzie said optimal conditions are a consistent 10-20 knot breeze out of the northeast, but yachters were facing lighter conditions for this race. A few were stuck bobbing while they waited for shifts in winds.

"I think some of the boats are getting a little bit of cabin fever out there," she said.

Christa Lawler covers Duluth and surrounding areas for the Star Tribune. Sign up to receive the new North Report newsletter.

• A double dose of snow is coming. Here's what you need to know.
• Legislation would give state land to Red Lake Nation

Minnesotans in Congress say trooper murder case should be taken away from county attorney

• Finding a ride after May 1 will take patience if Uber and Lyft pull out of Minneapolis
• Flying out of MSP Airport for spring break? Here are tips for travelers.

An hour inside the quietest room in Minneapolis (and the world)

Minnesota real estate mogul ralph burnet dies at age 78.

School bus carrying students rolls over in Scandia, Minn.

Live: State boys basketball results, schedule, how to watch

• What to know about the controversy on Duluth's Park Point • Duluth
• A ravenous beetle now threatens Minnesota's North Woods • Duluth
• UMD startup designs and tests potential cancer-fighting drugs • Duluth
• Man receives 36-year sentence for murder of victim on Iron Range property • Duluth
• Duluth's last vacant commercial waterfront lot could see new life • Duluth

© 2024 StarTribune. All rights reserved.

Duluth Yacht Club History

A few good men. That's all that was needed back in February 1969 to start the present day Duluth Yacht Club. A group of men, who informally raced each other across Lake Superior under the auspices of the Cruising Club, decided to come together formally and solidify sport sailing in the Duluth-Superior area.

The Cruising Club, including longtime sailors Jack Soetieber, Jack Arnold, Dave Poulin, Jim Robinson and Dale Sola, in the early days would begin their races off Park Point. The group called itself the Cruising Club because they wanted to differentiate themselves and their sailboats from a scow club that raced in the bay.

Because of the success of the Cruising Club, some members felt the Club should be more formal and promoted as an area-wide sailing club. The Apostle Island Yacht Club, which had already been in existence for thirteen years, was established with the help of Jack Soetebier and Dr. John Pierpont - two founding members of the Duluth club. Duluth hadn't seen a formal yacht club since the 1920s and 30s when Park Point had an elaborate establishment which operated under the name Duluth Yacht Club

The Cruising Club drew up a constitution, established by-laws, changed its name to the Duluth Keel Club (DKC) and named Bill Soetebier its first Commodore. The Duluth Keel Club's purpose was "to act in the best interest of sailing; to create, foster and encourage a comradery amongst all sailors in the Duluth-Superior area; to support that which is in the best interest of sailing and boating as a sport and recreation". Membership was granted to males 21 years of age or older and dues were set at ten dollars. By April 1969, the Duluth Keel Club had 26 paid members.

The early races were more informal than racing today. Ten races were scheduled for the year with a Spring Series and Fall Series. The DKC scheduled their races around the Apostle Island Yacht Club season which started around the Fourth of July. Because many sailors participated in both clubs, the Spring Invitational Series held May 31 and June 1, 1969, were DKC's first formal races. Boats ranged from a Cal 20 to a Rhodes 41 with a no spinnaker or family rules adopted for Saturday's race and anything goes on Sunday.

Jack Soetebier remembers the early races as being much more laid back than they are now. There were more cruising races - racing up to Knife River on Saturday, anchoring for the night and racing back to Duluth on Sunday. Jack remembers many boats included wives and children which fostered a social atmosphere. Soetebier also recalls the early days on the starting line. All boats anchored and when the starting horn blew they would pull up anchor and begin the race.

The Duluth Keel Club initially adopted a high-point scoring system. The first six places were given points starting at six points for first down to one point for sixth. The boat with the most points at the end of the season won. In 1977, the DKC adopted a low-point scoring system. The first boat received half a point, second boat scored two points and so on down. So the boat with the lowest number of points at the end of the season wins. Sailboats also received a large number of points for not starting, not finishing, being disqualified, or for finishing last. Also in 1977, the DKC changed its rating system. Before 1977, sailboats were rated based on a modified version of the International Offshore Rules (IOR) developed by Stu Sivertson. Now the DKC uses the Performance Handicapped Racing Formula (PHRF).

Duluth can boast the beginning of one of the most prominent Lake Superior sailboat races, the Trans-Superior. The Trans-Superior was a race thought out between Duluth sailor Jack Soetebier and Dr. John Pierpont, from White Pine, Michigan. The two men set up the race more as a challenge to each other and other Lake Superior sailors. It was organized before the 1969 conception of the Duluth Keel Club. The race is a 326 nautical mile race from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to Duluth. It is held every odd year and is sponsored by the Lake Superior Yachting Association in conjunction with the Duluth Keel Club and the Algoma Sailing Club in Sault Ste. Marie. The course was reversed in 1983, but due to finish line logistics, it was changed back to the traditional Sault to Duluth direction.

The Richardson Cup race is another sailing event the Club has been active in over the years. The Richardson Cup is a series of match races where boats pair up and race one on one. The event is the Great Lake's championship of match racing and is held in a different location every year. In 1980, the Duluth Keel Club hosted the Richardson Cup and Club members have represented Duluth in 1977, 1978, 1980, 1990, and 2001. The Richardson Cup event returned to Duluth in September of 1997 and 2002. In 2002, a team of DKC sailors representing Lake Superior Yachting Association won the coveted Richardson Cup.

In 1990, the beginning of a new decade ushered in a new name for the club. It changed from the Duluth Keel Club to the Duluth Yacht Club. Along with a new name came a new clubhouse and docks centered at the heart of waterfront activity. With the elimination of family rules prohibiting spinnakers on Wednesday nights, the Duluth Yacht Club expanded the Club's sailing expertise.

Another major event, which Duluth had the pleasure of co-hosting in 1990, is the Midget Ocean Racing Club International Regatta. Boats from all over the United States and Canada came to Duluth to compete on an unpredictable Lake Superior. The event was co-hosted by the Duluth Yacht Club and Wayzata Yacht Club. MORC sailboats and ratings are built around a measurement system. Before the boats touched water, each had to be measured and weighed to determine the rating allotment and were assigned to their respective classes. Duluth boats fared very well earning top places in the Production and Classic Divisions.

In 1992 renewed interest in one-design racing brought the San Juan 24 North American Championship to Duluth. Eleven Duluth Yacht Club crews participated in the 20 boat event which brought competitors from the West Coast, Thunder Bay, Sheboygan, and Minneapolis. Duluth was well represented with the top three places going to local boats. As the host site in 1996, the DYC had fourteen crews compete in the 23 boat fleet. Hosting again in 2000, DYC teams took the top three spots. Duluth hosted three additional years, most recently in 2006.

2008 was an exciting year with new achievements for club members. Former Commodore Eric Thomas completed the Solo TransPacific finishing 1st in his class and 2nd overall. And placing sixth in the U.S. Sailing Women's National Championship was Susan Mattis Turnham and crew Connie Bloom, Amy Carlson and Kari Jacobson Hedin.

Today the club continues to use the assumed name Duluth Yacht Club. The original, legal name of the Minnesota non-profit corporation, i.e., the Duluth Keel Club, remains unchanged. The Duluth Yacht Club currently offers family, individual, social, and student memberships. The membership is comprised of male, female and youth sailors. The Duluth Yacht Club continues to look towards the future.

2020 Note: We are sad to report the passing this spring of two of our founding members and past Commodores, John “Jack” Soetebier and John “Jack” Arnold.

​​​​​​ The 2024 LSYA schedule (Updated 1/21/2024)

2024 LSYA Member Club Hosted Race Schedule

​​​                                                                                                           Offshore   Start/End    Race Name                                                                                           Start Date                                     Series     Host Club(s)   Duluth to Bayfield                                                             Thur. June 27, 2024             Yes        DYC

Around the Islands Race                                                   Sat. June 29, 2024               Yes        AIS Bayfield Race Week                                                                                 Mon. July 1-5, 2024                          No            AIS TBYC International: Grand Marais, MN to Thunder Bay     Sun. July 28, 2024                Yes       TBYC

Thunder Bay to Houghton                                                 Tue. July 30, 2024                Yes       TBYC Houghton to Bayfield                                                         Thur. August 1, 2024           Yes       OYC

The LSYA Series will consist of all the Series races listed above and be the the best 3 out of 5 The LSYA Triangle will be GM-Tbay, Tbay-Houghton, Houghton-Bayfield with no throw outs

Register for the 2024 Season championship by clicking on the YachtScoring logo below!

At the YachtScoring pay for your event entry fee at the PayPal Link below. This will present as                           Imagine, A Philanthropic Organization, LLC, DBA: LSYA. and enter $125 (or $150 if entering after June 28).

LSYA: Where Lake Superior's Sailors Meet

LSYA Member Clubs as represented  by their club's burgees around Lake Superior.  

Lake Superior Yachting Association

Offshore Race Series Competitors must enter the LSYA Offshore Series Championship   (only those races as Offshore in the schedule above) to be scored for LSYA Season Championship Trophies. The 2024 Entry Fee is $125 at PayPal direct to LSYA as noted above and using the PayPal link. Official Entry open 03/10/2024 $25 late fee for all entries after June 28, 2024, the day after the Duluth to Bayfield race, the first race of the season.  Each race may also require an entry fee from the hosting club. Each host may have social activities with separate fees.  Sailing Instructions and Race Management are provided by the host clubs listed for each event. 

Duluth Yacht Club (DYC)              Duluth, MN Apostle Island Station (AIS) of Wayzata Yacht Club 

                                               (Bayfield, WI/ Minnetonka MN) Thunder Bay Yacht Club (TBYC)    Thunder Bay, Ontario    Apostle Island Yacht Club (AIYC)  Bayfield, WI

Onigaming Yacht Club (OYC)        Houghton, MI  Occasional Member:

Marquette Yacht Club (MYC)         Marquette, MI   

• Racing Results
• Annual Meeting

Copyright  Lake Superior Yachting Association . All rights reserved.

• Stories & Columns
• Events  Calendar
• Restaurants  & Bars
• Happy Hours
• Best Of  The Northland

including music, sports, theatre, recreation & more!

• Submit an Event (free)

Sailboat Races

Every Wednesday until Sep. 8, 6pm

More Events Like This

Sports Events

Twin Ports Events

For More Information

218.722.0173

We’re likely on the beat, but will get back to you.

info @ duluthreader.com ( info (at) duluthreader [d0t] com ,)

Photos, original cartoons, articles, letters, and press releases are welcome.

ads @ duluthreader.com ( ads (at) duluthreader [d0t] com ,)

Robert Boone

Publisher • Editor

Reader Weekly, Inc. P.O. Box 16122 Duluth, Minnesota 55816

The Trans Superior Race: Sailing from the Sault to Duluth

by Ann Klefstad

June 1, 2009

Wally McMinn / Great Lakes Singlehanded Society

Trans Superior Race

It’s all about the wind in your sails – and other good luck – for the Trans Superior racers. This photo, taken by Wally McMinn of the Great Lakes Singlehanded Society, represents a boat in the “singlehanded” class, sailboats crewed by a single person. This year will be only the third race that such a class has been entered.

In the end …

It was 2 a.m., just off of Two Harbors in a black night of heavy overcast, and Eric Thomas was alone on his 30-foot sailboat, Polar Bear , headed down Minnesota’s North Shore on the home stretch of the Trans Superior Race.

He’d spent the last couple of days with no more than 20 minutes of sleep at a time, and he was several hours from any real shut-eye.

Lightning began to flash from cloud to cloud above the hills. The sky got lighter and soon it was pink with lightning, bright as daylight.

A big storm was coming over those hills, Eric knew it. It was calm where he was, for the moment, and he had all his sail out. If he wanted to win this race, he needed to keep sails up until the last minute. He waited to see how fast the storm moved in.

Then his radio crackled; another sailor, John Ayres, farther offshore and a little behind, was calling. John had a lot of sophisticated weather equipment and the radio was talking about big winds and rain at a place called “Floodwood.” John wanted to know where that was.

Eric told him where to find the Minnesota town on his charts, and John told Eric about the storm and how it was traveling. Lightning slammed behind the hills.

Such was the scene in 2005 near the end of the Trans Superior Race , run every odd year across Lake Superior and at nearly 390 miles one of the longest freshwater races.

Duluthian Eric Thomas knows the subtleties of long-distance racing. In 2008, he took second place in the Singlehanded TransPacific Yacht Race from San Francisco to Kauai, Hawaii – his first time in that race.

His family has raced since the 1970s. Eric remembers that as a 2-year-old, he would roll around on the cabin sole during races. This family crew has a distinctive style that serves Eric well on solo runs, too. “Our family, we’re not the best racers by any means, but we’re good at change. The more times things change, the more times you roll the dice, the better we do.”

Solo racing is like stepping backwards from the finish, step by step, Eric says. The fewer mistakes you make, the more likely you are to win. How you handle dubious gifts, like a storm, matters.

So Eric knew what to do that night in 2005 on his home surf of Lake Superior in his familiar Olson 30 sailboat.

“I said to Ayres, I’m going off the air. I’m going to disconnect electronics so they don’t get ruined. … I put on my survival suit, as much for insulation from a lightning strike as well as cold.”

Minutes before the 40-knot (46 mph) winds hit ahead of the storm, Eric took down his headsail and “double-reefed” the mainsail, folding it down smaller.

“Luckily I could steer 20 degrees off course. All the time, the boat planed (skimmed the water).”

In 45 minutes, Eric sailed 15 miles … mostly in the right direction. The storm “plastered John pretty good, but it propelled me up ahead. I ended up beating him by about an hour.”

Eric had been racing for 66 hours, 39 minutes nonstop.

The Trans Superior Race starts in Sault Ste. Marie with the boats going under the International Bridge after being lowered 22 feet at the Soo Locks.

In the beginning …

Jack Soetebier lives on Park Point in Duluth, where out his windows he can see the great expanse of water that his boats, Blitzen and Hussar , traversed so many times. Jack is a founder of the Trans Superior Race along with John Pierpont, who docked his boat, Snark , at the Apostle Islands Marina in Wisconsin. John Pierpont died in March.

“It was really Dr. Pierpont’s brainchild,” says Jack, on a spring day when it seems possible that open water will return. We’re watching movies he made of the first race in 1969 – one of the family voyage to Sault Ste. Marie to start the race, one of the race itself, back to Duluth. There’s an indescribable Sixties charm in the films. Many heading to the Sault watched that year’s historic moon launch on TV at Whitefish Point, and there’s something of that explorers’ optimism in this little fleet of 22 boats, bobbing brightly on the screen in 8 mm film.

Jack recounts how it all began: John Pierpont wanted to sail in The Mac – a famous long-distance race from Chicago to Mackinac. But he needed yacht club backing to enter. So he and some friends started the Apostle Islands Yacht Club around 1960.

Then John thought it would be great to have a Sault-to-Duluth race, the longest freshwater race in the world at the time. He was tireless on the subject.

“He kept bringing it up at club meetings, and everyone just looked at him,” Jack says. “No one wanted to do it. It would be a big job, to get all the way to the Sault and then back against the prevailing winds.”

In the winter of 1968, Jack was in the front row at a yacht club meeting. “I owed him a favor. He had loaned me his 42-foot Siskiwit to sail for a couple of weeks up in Canada. I was out of a boat that year, and that’s, you know, like someone loaning you his wife . . . so I really owed him one.

“He was talking about the race again, and he saw me, and he said, ‘Jackson’ – he always called me Jackson – ‘let’s you and I race, and the rest can come along if they want. I want do it before I get too old to run it!’ And I felt like I had to do it then. He was about 56 and I was 42, so what do I say? I say, ‘Yes,’ and then the others fell in, too.”

Manley “Monnie” Goldfine, who died in April, began organizing the race. It was hosted that year and ever after by the Duluth Yacht Club, then called the Keel Club. Algoma Sailing Club in the Sault and the Thunder Bay Yacht Club also help now.

Bill Dunlop, fleet captain of the Thunder Bay club, has been in the race since 1989 and teaches sailing. He gives students four reasons to race: they’ll be better sailors; they’ll be able to handle a wide variety of conditions (races ignore most weather); they’ll learn attention to details; it’s fun. “When you finish your race, particularly a long race like the Trans Superior, there’s an amazing sense of accomplishment, regardless of how well you’ve done in the race.”

Keith Stauber

Papa Gaucho, skippered by Keith Stauber, heads toward a sunset and a victory.

Permanent trophies for the overall winners and various class winners are housed at Sir Benedict’s Pub in Duluth, sitting on top of the beer cooler. Jack Arnold, former owner of the pub, has been a mainstay of sail racing in Duluth.

The boats are diverse, from as small as 24 feet to 40-plus feet, now mostly fiberglass, racing and cruising sailboats. They come from all the Great Lakes and the saltwater coasts.

The Trans Superior’s singlehanded or solo entries are a fast-growing division. In 2007, of 35 boats racing, 23 had solo sailors. But solo racing is new to the Trans. This year’s race is only the third time a solo division was part of the race. The crewed division is the heart of the tradition. They race hard all day and all night, shifting crews so that people get sleep.

This year, as always, the race starts off of Gros Cap in the mouth of the St. Marys River. Depending on conditions, boats should arrive in Duluth 40 hours to several days later. This year you can track the race from home, in real time. Every boat has a satellite transponder and the race website will follow progress.

There will likely be continued growth in the solo division and in a new category: boats with a crew of two. Time demands work against full crews – four to nine crew members; it takes up to a week just to get to the starting line in the Sault … and then the weeklong race begins. Finding half a dozen people who can all take off more than two weeks to sail is pretty hard nowadays. (Dr. Pierpont had a full crew of sons, but families that size are rare now.)

There remains a general dearth of women in the race, but boats have been crewed exclusively by women. Skipper Gail Bowdish in Shanti was the first solo female racer. Duluth skipper Keith Stauber’s winning Papa Gaucho has always had women on its crew, as do other boats. Keith says women are adept sailors, but spending days in close quarters means that the boat owner has to plan well for mixed crews.

Racers note that sail competition preserves traditional skills. Eric Thomas says that in the days when sailing ships had to get from Point A to Point B on a schedule, sailors handled whatever came up. Racing does much the same; you sail in all conditions, on a set course. Racing, these sailors say, teaches you what you and your boat can do. They love it for its challenges.

In the end, again …

Ted Harwood

The race ends in Duluth, where Polar Bear is about to take the singlehanded win.

Skipper strategy can win the Trans Superior, something that Duluth skipper Keith Stauber, sailing Papa Gaucho , understood when he took home top honors in the crewed division of the race in 2007.

Since 1977, Keith has raced the Trans Superior every time except two: one when a shoulder injury kept him out and one when he was racing in Russia.

“Sailboat racing has given me a lot of opportunities,” says Keith. “In 1985, I raced for two months in Florida with the America’s Cup helmsman Ed Baird.”

Keith used strategy and a bit of weather luck to win in 2007. His strategy involved using the Performance Handicap Rating Formula, or PHRF, to his advantage. What’s PHRF? Each type of boat has a record of racing performance used to assign it a handicap. Boats considered to have greater speed must “give time” – through handicaps – to inherently slower boats. As in horse racing, the goal is to make the race as close as possible. Thus, the first boat across the finish line may not win, depending on its “corrected time,” or the actual run time minus the handicap.

Papa Gaucho has a low handicap in the Duluth fleet, but in the “Trans,” where boats come from far away, many inherently faster boats have even lower handicaps and had to “give time” to Papa Gaucho .

So Keith’s strategy in 2007 was to sail a conservative race. “We knew they had to give us time, and the longer we stayed with them, the harder it would be for them to beat us on corrected time. So we stayed right with the pack; whatever they did, we did.”

The weather was nice in the beginning of the race, but during the second night the wind began to blow heavily out of the northwest. They were beating hard into it and had to change sails to reduce sail area.

Hours passed slowly; this isn’t pleasant sailing – ­heavy chop, night black as pitch, cold.

“We got tossed out of some waves. Then the boat almost stops, everything shakes and shudders, you can’t cook or eat. You just try to keep warm food in your crew,” says Keith. “It’s hard to be below without getting sick, but if you don’t eat and keep warm, you will get sick. You won’t have the body energy to fend it off.”

The wind had been pushing the fleet to the Ontario shore, but that was slowly changing. Everyone listened intently to weather reports. It was important not to tack – to change direction – too soon, but the boat that first caught the moment to head west would have the advantage.

“We put our best helmsman on. … Usually, even at night, there’s enough light to see the waves, but it was black, so dark you couldn’t see the waves at all. It was hard to steer over them. Finally I went below for a nap. Our strategy was to stick with the pack. I said, when I left the deck, that as soon as the first boat went west, to follow them.”

Being a true competitor, Jack Soetebier bought the Blitzen (pictured) for that first race … and came in near last place. “After that first year, we decided to buy a bigger boat,” says Jack. The new Hussar, a 35-foot Ericson sailboat, won him bragging rights, and the Trans Superior’s Class C in 1971.

When Keith got back on deck, he saw two lights instead of the five or six once there. The deck crew thought a couple of boats had headed west. So Papa Gaucho immediately tacked, but the delay put them behind.

Things seemed bleak, but then, says Keith, “the wind gods brought the race home for us.” The wind picked up to about 25 knots (29 mph). The boat had been making 3 or 4 knots (3.5 to 4.5 mph), but with the new wind, it moved at 12 knots (about 13 mph) – very fast for a sailboat. Now all the boats were spread across the lake, and Papa Gaucho was pointed west, right at Duluth.

The lead boats had nearly reached port making 3 or 4 knots; Papa Gaucho skated the last 20 miles or so at 12 knots, closing the gap.

In the end, Keith and his crew spent 57 hours, 27 minutes sailing down the lake, but time gained by PHRF “corrected” that to 50 hours and 58 minutes.

Good strategy, good luck and a good wind gave them the overall prize.

Places to See Races

You can see sailboat races by the local yacht clubs. Check websites for details.

Thunder Bay Yacht Club : 6 p.m. Mondays and Fridays at the waterfront. www.tbyc.on.ca

Duluth Yacht Club : 5:15 p.m. Wednesdays at Canal Park. www.duluthkeelclub.com

Algoma Sailing Club (Sault Ste. Marie): 7 p.m Wednesdays on St. Marys River. www.algomasailingclub.org

Apostle Islands Yacht Club (Bayfield, Wisconsin): Special racing events. www.aiyc.net

The Trans Superior: Just the Facts

Race date 2017 : 1 p.m. EDT, August 5

Race route : Sault Ste. Marie to Duluth (338 nautical miles or about 388 standard miles)

Fastest singlehanded time : 66 hours, 39 minutes, 14 seconds Polar Bear in 2007, Skipper Eric Thomas

Fastest overall crewed time ever : 28 hours, 38 minutes, Earth Voyager trimaran in 2001, Skipper Ray Howe

Website : www.transsuperior.com

Ann Klefstad is a sculptor, writer, and aspiring sailor who lives across the street from Lake Superior in Duluth.

©2020 Lake Superior Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. • 109 W. Superior St. #200 • Duluth, MN 55802 • 218-722-5002 • [email protected]

• International
• Submit A News Tip
• Latest Forecast
• Weather Cams
• School Closings
• Interactive Radar
• Weather Stations
• Local River Levels
• Sports Coverage
• Fish & Game
• Video Series
• Virtual Buck Pole
• Original Programming
• 9&10 News
• Good Day Northern Michigan
• Viewer Photos
• Expert Tips
• Contests & Events
• Veterans Resource Station
• Adopt A Pet
• Law Help Line
• Community Sponsorship Request
• As Seen On The Four

Yacht racers get ready for over 300 mile journey from the Soo to Duluth

The 28th bi-annual Trans-Superior International Yacht Race will be taking boaters 326 nautical miles (375 statute miles) as they race from Sault Ste. Marie, MI to Duluth, MN.

The race is set to begin on Aug. 5 at 1 p.m. at Gros Cap Light in Whitefish bay after boaters leave from George Kemp Marina and through the Soo Locks.

On Thursday, nearly three dozen crews were preparing for the intense, days long race.

“This race has a little bit more challenging conditions. The storms are little bit bigger. Changes in the wind conditions happen a lot faster and are a lot more extreme.” said Tighe Case from Minneapolis.

The race is expected to take two to three days to complete.

You can follow the race live on the Trans-Superior website.

Local Trending News

Babysitter who stopped alleged kidnapping of child from Antrim Co. motel tells her story

Body of missing Cheboygan man found in river, police say

Michigan residents could receive priority campground reservations under new bill

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Register or volunteer for the 2024 Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival.

• If you don't have a team and would like to be placed on one, select JOIN and search for "JOIN WITHOUT A TEAM"
• Dragon Boat Race
• Food Trucks
• Beer Garden
• Live DJ & Emcee
• Award Ceremony

23rd Veteran is this year's charitable partner. Once you register to race or volunteer, you're encouraged to show off your fundraising skills for local veterans. Your fundraising page will show up in an email; it's ready to be customized and shared with those who love to help others.

All event purchases and proceeds help the local community through Rotary Club of Superior. Additional fundraising and donations help veterans through 23rd Veteran. Together we are making a difference.

If you're looking to sponsor an entire boat, choose "CREATE A TEAM"

Once sponsored, you will receive a promo code good for 28 registrations (a team of 22 plus alternates).

Distribute your promo code to your paddlers and alternates, then have them  JOIN the team that you created.

Our Mission

About the festival and rotary.

The Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival (LSDBF) is organized, operated and staffed by Rotary Club of Superior for the good of our community. These members who are local residents of the Twin Ports area have created this family fun event to better the community and experiences of the people within it. Since 2002, LSDBF has raised over $1.3 million to support charitable organizations in the Twin Ports.

LSDBF supports the mission of Rotary International: to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.

Rotary International consists of 1.2 million members and 33,000 clubs in over 200 countries worldwide.

Purpose of the Festival

Superior, wisconsin.

Located at the head of Lake Superior, this 400-meter race is a straight course that takes place in the Superior Bay off of Barkers Island. The water between the island and the mainland provides an ideal venue for the race, and historic Barker’s Island is a terrific staging area for not only the race but is also a recreational park for local residents.

There is ample space for spectators and all the activities associated with the festival. Many teams erect tents for the weekend, socialize, nap and celebrate on the island. Race heats take place completely in view across the island and happen in quick succession. The event is family friendly, has no admission fee for spectators, and is tons of fun!

Spectators are welcome to partake in the festival at no charge!

The Community

History of lsdbf.

The first Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival took place in 2002 after a year’s worth of hard work and preparations by dedicated Twin Ports Rotarians. In our first year, we had over 70 teams and had such a good time we just had to do it again…and we’ve been doing just that ever since!

ABOUT OUR CHARITABLE PARTNER

WE HELP MILITARY & VETERANS WHO ARE LIVING WITH TRAUMA

Ten years after serving in combat our founder returned to hope and happiness. Seeing many of his Marine Corps brothers continue that struggle, he vowed to grow an organization that could give them a chance to earn their happiness.

Personal trainers, positive psychologists, and military personnel collectively created the 23V Recon Playbook. A unique 14-week full-exposure and holistic approach to removing the negative effects of trauma. An approach that has seen very effective self-reported recovery and growth into high functioning members of our community.

Born in the Duluth/Superior area, 23rd Veteran has grown to serve veterans and loved ones through their programs in multiple states. If you know of a veteran who would benefit from these programs, please refer them to the website below.

Our Sponsors

Together, we make things possible.

Join the sponsors that have been driving our festival and community impact for 20 years. To sponsor a team, click Pay for a boat below and Create a team during registration. Once sponsored we'll send you 28 promo codes to distribute.

For sponsorship questions, please email: [email protected]

Get in touch

If you have any questions, you may send us a message using the form below or you can also send us an email at [email protected]

Mail checks and rotary donations to:

Rotary Club of Superior PO Box 1605 Superior, WI 54880

Copyright © 2020 - 2024  | Powered by Pro Website Creators

• My Business
• Post a Listing
• Your Listings
• Your Profile
• Your Subscriptions
• Your Business
• Support Local News
• Payment History
• Sign up for Daily Headlines
• Sign up for Notifications

28th Bi-Annual Trans Superior International Yacht Race set to sail

• Share by Email
• Share on Facebook
• Share on LinkedIn
• Share via Text Message

The 28th Bi-Annual Trans Superior International Yacht Race starts at Gros Cap Light on the  southeast end of Whitefish Bay on Saturday at 1 p.m.  

The racers will leave the George Kemp Marina in Sault Ste. Marie at 8 a.m. Saturday, make their way through the Soo Locks on their way to Gros Cap Light.

Nearly three dozen sailboats of different sizes and shapes and their crew members will battle a Lake Superior that sometimes can be dangerous.

"This race has a little bit more challenging conditions. The storms are a little bit bigger.  Changes in the wind conditions happen a lot faster and are a lot more extreme," said Tighe Case, who arrived in the Soo with his crew a couple days ago on the MC^2.

While it is a very competitive race covering 326 nautical miles from Sault Ste. Marie to Duluth, Minnesota, it's more about the camaraderie. 

"Sailing is a sport...a Corinthian sport. It's never anything more about bragging rights...and drinking some beer after the race is done," Case chuckled.

Crew members are spending a lot of time getting their vessels ready for the Saturday start.  Checking and double checking supplies and equipment is crucial before Saturday morning's departure to Gros Cap Light.

But that doesn't mean they don't make time to explore Sault Ste. Marie.

Tim Buck and his crew arrived late Wednesday night to the marina on the Narwhal. 

Thursday morning, they knew where to go for breakfast.

"We went to Frank's and were over-served food! I heard that was their reputation and it's true," said Buck, who is from Duluth.

Many of these same teams recently raced in the Port Huron to Mackinac Island race (204 nautical miles) or the Chicago to Mackinac Island race (289 nautical miles).

But this particular race across Lake Superior is special because it's longer and more challenging, but it's also the final race of the season for most of them.

You can follow the race LIVE online at this link:  https://www.transsuperior.com/home

This has been shared 0 times

More local news.

• Oldest Newest

• Power Boats
• Boats We’ve Sold
• Sell Your Boat
• Terms of Use
• 218-390-4851

SAILBOATS FOR SALE

Get ready to sail off into the sunset with a new sailboat! Whether you enjoy cruising or racing, we are here to propel your search, answer any questions, and get you on the water.

View our wide selection of sailboats for sale, learn more about a vessel, and find your next boat below.

TOSS US A LINE

Whether you are looking to buy, sell, or just have a question we can help! Fill out the contact form below and we’ll get back to you. Happy Sails!

Request car price