Another fantastic ILYA Championship is in the books! It was a great week of sailing on Lake Minnetonka, with racing across every scow class from the 38-foot A Scow to the 16-foot MC Scow.
A big thank you to Commodore Craig Lang, Event Chairman Sam Rogers, and all of the Minnetonka Yacht Club volunteers who helped make this year’s championship such a success. From great racing on the water to social gatherings and live music ashore, there was plenty to enjoy at Lake Minnetonka.
Great Racing Across the Scow Classes
There was plenty of close racing across the scow classes. The C Scow class completed seven races, with three boats locked in a tight battle at the top of the standings. The championship ultimately came down to the final 300 yards of the final race—an exciting finish to a competitive regatta.
It was also a strong week for North Sails, with new North Sails on the winning boats in the A Scow, E Scow, and C Scow classes. At the Inland X Championship, the winning X Boat was also powered by new North Sails.
For sailors looking ahead to next season, North Sails Fall Savings begins September 1 and runs through September 30. More details are coming soon.
The Melges Spark at Minnetonka
The all-new Melges Spark was also on display at Minnetonka Yacht Club. It was great to see sailors, families, and clubs checking out the newest addition to the Melges lineup and sharing their excitement about the boat.
We’ve already seen great success with the Spark in our youth sailing programs at the Melges Watersports Center, where it has proven to be a simple, approachable platform for getting young sailors comfortable and confident on the water. Bringing the Spark to the Inland Championship gave even more sailors the opportunity to see the boat up close and learn what it’s all about.
See you in 2027
That’s a wrap on another great ILYA Championship! Congratulations to all of the competitors and this year’s champions.
We’re already looking forward to another big week of Inland sailing in 2027 at Pewaukee and Nagawicka. See you there!
Photos: Bill Crawford, Harbor Pictures