Top PROs Prepare for Large Fleets, good racing

Building and growing our regatta means tough, busy work for the race committees and we've responded by bringing in some of the top Race Officers in the Midwest for this year's event.  These three officials will provide the top-quality racing that our sailors deserve and our regatta should be known for.

Peter Blacklock - PHRF/JAM

Peter is a US SAILING Regional Race Officer from Muskegeon, MI.  In his many years of experience running races, he has worked multiple National, North American, and World Championships throughout the United States.  In 2009 alone, he served as a PRO at the Chicago NOODs, Butterfly North Americans, J/35 North Americans, MYC Governors Cup Regatta, and Charleston Race Week.  He was also the Assistant PRO for the J/109 North Americans and Chicago Yacht Club's Verve Cup, in addition to working a number of local events.  In addition to race management duties, Peter and his wife Mhari conduct a number of sailing seminars through western Michigan each year.

A retired yacht broker, long time sailor, and race officer, Peter brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this year's regatta.  We are honored to welcome Peter as part of the "New Bay Week" race management team and look forward to a great week of racing with him.

Jim Titgemeyer - One-Design Keelboats

Lake Erie Sailors are familiar with "Titge" and we are pleased to welcome him back to Bay Week this year. Over the last 15+ years, Jim, a US SAILING Regional Race Officer, along with his wife, Claire, a US SAILING Club Race Officer, have become a regular part of regattas all over central Lake Erie.  From Club races to Cleveland Race Week to Class Championships, Titge is well know for his quality race management.

Titge has been PRO for multiple championships including Great Lake Championships for the Mumm 30, Beneteau 36.7, and J/105 classes; T-Ten North Americans; and National Championships for the Sunfish, Highlanders, Ensigns, and Interlakes.  Jim & Claire also help on race committee at mid-winter regattas for a variety of classes, and have worked Charleston and Key West Race Weeks.

In describing his transformation from Thistle sailor to "big boat" sailor to Race Officer, Jim said, "After 20 years of taking from the sport of sailing it was time to give back.  We get as much enjoyment from running good races as the boat that comes in first and the boat that comes in last.  It is not how you finish, but how you play the game."

Welcome Back Titge! 

Kris Miller - One-Design Centerboards

We are happy to once again have Kris and his crew on the one-design centerboard course at Bay Week this year.  Kris is a US SAILING certified Club Race Officer from Put-in-Bay Yacht Club and has served as PRO for this course for several years.

In addition to his Bay Week duties, Kris is the manager of the Put-in-Bay Yacht Club, an I-LYA Trustee, and Past I-LYA Junior Bay Week Chair.

We are fortunate to have Kris and his experienced crew back for another great year of one-design racing on the centerboard course and look forward to another successful regatta.