Winds challenge racers on final day

By P.J. GLISSON

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Wakefield — The 2019 Stock and Junior National Championships ended late Thursday morning just as a growing breeze began to be an issue on Wakefield’s Sunday Lake.

“It was quite windy and rough,” said Jay Fox of Bay City, who was among final participants in a memorial race in honor of the late James “Jimmer” Hagerl of Cloquet, Minn., a former championship winner who died last year of cancer.

Fox said his particular race felt “more like a marathon.”

Winds had been forecast to be as high as 20 mph, which is the point at which racing is closed.

According to Adrianna Bonanno, an announcer from Flat Rock, everyone who wished to race had the opportunity, but she said participants in the 200 MH II race opted out of their competition.

Nevertheless, John Siira, from the Wakefield outboard nationals committee, said the week of racing had gone quite “smoothly.”

Siira said it was the 17th time the regatta had been held here, with the first local hosting having been in 1980.

“Everything I’ve heard from the guys, they love it,” he said of this year’s racers. “Some said they’d be happy to race here every year.”

“It’s a great time out there,” said Dominick Trolian of Milan, who was part of one of the announcing teams.

Although only 12, Trolian spoke knowledgeably about all aspects of the events. “I went to my first race when I was two weeks old,” he said.

Larry Terzinski of Rhinelander, Wis., participated in Thursday’s modified races just prior to the wind gaining speed.

No matter what the conditions, he said racers are well equipped. “Our life jackets all have impact and back protection,” he said, adding they are required to wear Kevlar clothing and to use up-to-date helmets with eye shields.

In terms of his division, Terzinski said, “Anybody can run modified. I think it just takes a little more motor know-how.”

He explained that racers in that division simply take out-of-date motors and “modify them.”

Spectators, including people who are not boaters, found the competitions entertaining. Among them was Eric Makela of Wakefield, who said he watched for a few hours on Thursday, when he saw “a couple flips,” and then returned Friday morning.

“I just enjoy watching the races,” he said.

This evening, Big Snow Resort will host a private race winners’ banquet at its Indianhead location.

Sunday Lake is now open to the public.