2017 SONAR WORLDS
Peter Galloway Wins 2017 Sonar Worlds
Lunenburg, pristine location and great atmosphere!
Peter Galloway and his team of Ched Proctor, Garin Pace and Judy Lugar had to overcome multiple hurdles, both on and off the race course, to win the 2017 Sonar World Championships hosted by by the Lunenburg Yacht Club. Trailing 2 teams going into the final day Galloway and team posted a final day score line of 1,2,2 to complete an impressive, come from behind win. The sailors in Lunenburg are somewhat spoiled by a pristine location that has escaped much of the hubbub of modern civilization. The small clubhouse, a bar, wooden porch overlooking the mooring area and comfortable, rustic gathering great room offered a great atmosphere for the 25 teams competing for the title.
The Sonar Worlds is the one major Sonar title that had eluded Galloway and just getting to the event proved a daunting task. Paul Steinborn, long time Fast Forward co-owner and crew, had a last minute injury that threw the entire program into scramble mode, including finding a replacement crew, housing and a tow vehicle just to get USA 701 to the starting line.
The weather was unusual for early September. The regatta started with heavy winds of 18-20 knots for practice day. The scheduled start of racing brought a rainy day with 30 knots on the race course which made the race committee decision to abandon for the day well received by the competitors. Given a “bonus day” to tour the area many teams visited the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic and enjoyed a waterfront stroll around town dodging rain squalls.
Seven races were sailed to a very tight last race where three boats had the chance to win. Congratulations to Peter Galloway’s Fast Forward team, winners of the 2017 World title.
