Report by Todd Pearce

The 45^th anniversary Martin 242 North American Championship Regatta was held in English Bay in Vancouver, on August 22-24, 2025.  Sailing was fantastic, with sunny skies and 8-15 knots of breeze, ideal M242 conditions.

Co-hosted by the Martin 242 Fleet One, Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, and Kitsilano Yacht Club, this year saw 38 boats competing, the highest turnout in almost 20 years, with teams coming from Los Angeles, Anacortes, Orcas Island, Victoria, Nanaimo, Gibsons, Nelson, Vancouver, and Port Moody.

As anticipated, racing was highly competitive, with aggressive starts (resulting in a few UFD scores), battles for clear lanes, and more than the odd busy mark rounding. 

The RC did a great job, and with courses moved close to shore for half the races, spectators from the RVYC breakwater to Spanish Banks bore witness to the spectacle of the M242 fleet short-tacking the shoreline, frequently dodging paddlers, all manner of small sail craft, and some intrepid ocean swimmers, while attempting to stay clear of the dreaded Jericho exclusion zones (some unsuccessfully, resulting in a few DSQ scores for those who ventured inside the restricted areas).

After five fabulous races Saturday, including an epic extended distance race to finish the day, sailors enjoyed an outstanding Tahiti Beach Dinner and Party at KYC on Saturday night.  Food was great and the atmosphere wonderful.  

Sunday was a repeat of day one, with incredible conditions.  After another five awesome races on Sunday, the team on Back in Black, with owner Phil Cragg calling tactics, Todd Pearce on helm, and Windsor Ontario sailors John Baker (trim) and Andrew French (bow), sailed a solid series, winning the 2025 M242 NA’s convincingly.

A victory in the final race helped the team of Mike, Rosemary, & Reid Cannon, and David Berry on Crown Royale secure second place, edging out Too Wicked, with Mike Clements, Adrienne Mennell, Colin Gilbert, and Jessie Belanger.

A huge thanks to all the volunteers whose hours of hard work made the event possible, and all the sponsors, including Creed Capital Management Group and National Bank Financial.

An especially big acknowledgement to Mike Clements and Adrienne Mennell, who both worked tirelessly to ensure this was the best and most well attended M242 NA regatta in decades.  Congratulations all on an amazing event.