Thanks for covering the topic of sailing and this race series, and for doing it honestly and respectfully.
As a Lake Ontario racer in the LOOR and LOSHRS (shorthanded) series, I applaud the decision to take a potentially big variable out of the equation. A pragmatic approach was taken based on actual racer feedback, not rhetoric from armchair political pundits that would never race on Lake Ontario. No one is being excluded.
I, for one, look forward to adding back a weekend race to Youngstown Yacht Club in NY. I attended many of the famous (infamous?) Youngstown Level Regattas in the 80s, 90s, and 00s...and lost some brain cells while there. And that was the first regatta I did with the woman who is my wife of 30+ years. She is also my doublehanded partner and mast/foredeck for crewed racing.
Should things continue getting worse here, is it possible to surrender to RCMP or other Canadian officers on Lake Ontario and plead for political asylum? I empathize that no previous criminal charges have ever been filed against me.
Must one renounce US citizenship first to apply, or is dual citizenship possible until a decision is reached? Apologies for bothering you with such questions, but I’m unclear and uncomfortable even seeking clarification on these matters. Scrutiny seems apparent everywhere these days.
As a former Detroiter, racer, and cruiser, I welcomed the opportunity to sail in international regattas and cruise Canadian waters (North Channel, Georgian Bay, and the Bay of Fundy). We always felt welcomed. With that said, if I were poked in the eye repeatedly with disparaging hurtful comments, tariffs, and "war" pronouncements, I would protest and be an activist. Should that include race restrictions, I treat it as a protest, which all racers know. The race instructions can (hopefully with the elimination of negative rhetoric) be easily amended next year. Full disclosure, I am "part" Canadian with my father born and raised in Ontario. I have dual pride. Rick Kinder, Lititz, PA
I have raced for over 30 years on a variety of boats out of clubs from Niagara on the Lake to Oakville.
I currently serve as a member of a race committee out of Niagara on the Lake Sailing Club. We, as a race committee have decided NOT to race in American waters last year. We are staying with that decision this year as well.
Since the committee boat must anchor in order to establish the start and finish lines, we would have been deemed to have "landed" in the USA. Since entry to the USA has become so utterly unpredictable since the re-election of Donald Trump, we decided that in the interest of the safety of our committee we would no longer enter American waters.
I also no longer enter American waters for any reason whatsoever as a sailor on my own vessel.
I do not forsee my stance on this changing anytime soon.
Dear Colin, May I talk with you about this decision? I have a large sailor readership and I like to write about these issues involving different clubs. My email is phoebe@phoebehoward.com
Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts on the issue. The Canadian sailors are incredibly focused on not angering or upsetting anyone. Dialogue matters. Data matters. Listening matters.
Thanks for the current state of sailing on our big beautiful waters!
In a few years, we’ll all be celebrating the return of normalcy, brotherly love with (Oh) Canada!
P S: No offense Canada, but the Red Wings are in first place!!!
Thanks for covering the topic of sailing and this race series, and for doing it honestly and respectfully.
As a Lake Ontario racer in the LOOR and LOSHRS (shorthanded) series, I applaud the decision to take a potentially big variable out of the equation. A pragmatic approach was taken based on actual racer feedback, not rhetoric from armchair political pundits that would never race on Lake Ontario. No one is being excluded.
I, for one, look forward to adding back a weekend race to Youngstown Yacht Club in NY. I attended many of the famous (infamous?) Youngstown Level Regattas in the 80s, 90s, and 00s...and lost some brain cells while there. And that was the first regatta I did with the woman who is my wife of 30+ years. She is also my doublehanded partner and mast/foredeck for crewed racing.
Thank you for the thoughtful feedback and context.
Should things continue getting worse here, is it possible to surrender to RCMP or other Canadian officers on Lake Ontario and plead for political asylum? I empathize that no previous criminal charges have ever been filed against me.
A significant number of people have, in fact, obtained Canadian passports.
Must one renounce US citizenship first to apply, or is dual citizenship possible until a decision is reached? Apologies for bothering you with such questions, but I’m unclear and uncomfortable even seeking clarification on these matters. Scrutiny seems apparent everywhere these days.
As a former Detroiter, racer, and cruiser, I welcomed the opportunity to sail in international regattas and cruise Canadian waters (North Channel, Georgian Bay, and the Bay of Fundy). We always felt welcomed. With that said, if I were poked in the eye repeatedly with disparaging hurtful comments, tariffs, and "war" pronouncements, I would protest and be an activist. Should that include race restrictions, I treat it as a protest, which all racers know. The race instructions can (hopefully with the elimination of negative rhetoric) be easily amended next year. Full disclosure, I am "part" Canadian with my father born and raised in Ontario. I have dual pride. Rick Kinder, Lititz, PA
It must be said over and over: this maladministration makes no secret of attacking our allies and cozying up to dictators.
I have raced for over 30 years on a variety of boats out of clubs from Niagara on the Lake to Oakville.
I currently serve as a member of a race committee out of Niagara on the Lake Sailing Club. We, as a race committee have decided NOT to race in American waters last year. We are staying with that decision this year as well.
Since the committee boat must anchor in order to establish the start and finish lines, we would have been deemed to have "landed" in the USA. Since entry to the USA has become so utterly unpredictable since the re-election of Donald Trump, we decided that in the interest of the safety of our committee we would no longer enter American waters.
I also no longer enter American waters for any reason whatsoever as a sailor on my own vessel.
I do not forsee my stance on this changing anytime soon.
Dear Colin, May I talk with you about this decision? I have a large sailor readership and I like to write about these issues involving different clubs. My email is phoebe@phoebehoward.com
Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts on the issue. The Canadian sailors are incredibly focused on not angering or upsetting anyone. Dialogue matters. Data matters. Listening matters.