Message from the Chairman

2023 Mills Chairman Message Ninety-Nine and Counting!

Heading toward historical milestones, such as the 100th Mills Trophy Race next year, is a credit to all the participants, sponsors, and committee volunteers that have supported the Mills Trophy Race over the years. This year we celebrate the 99th running of the Invitational Mills Trophy Race. Thanks to all who have sailed with us in the past, and to those of you who are joining us for the first time (don’t forget to check the First Time Entry box on your Yacht Scoring registration).

Make sure you check out the 2023 Mills Trophy Race Sailing Instructions (SI’s) at www. yachtscoring.com for the details of the race courses and the Class Flags to be used on the start boat to identify the order of starts.

The PHRF rating to qualify for the President’s Trophy Course has been lowered from 165 to 150 and above, and the Mills Trophy Course and the Governor’s Trophy Course correspondingly lowered PHRF rating to 147.

As always, the SI’s are the official rules governing the race, and take precedence over any “general information” sections of this program.

Principle Race Officer Steve Harris from Put-in-Bay Yacht Club and Buckeye Lake Yacht Club and his BLYC and PIBYC race management teams will again be starting us at the Toledo Harbor Light and recording finishes at Put-in-Bay. Thanks to Al and Linda Minsterman for continuing their DRYA finish line support.

This year we are happy to announce the 2023 Honorary Chairmen, David Ryan, Jr. A Mills Master, Mills Race Committee and Mills Trophy Race Class Winner, Dave sails the C&C33 Chasseur as a member (and Past Commodore) of Monroe Boat Club and Catawba Island Club (see his article later in this issue).

Also hope you enjoy the continuing three-decade retrospective highlighting photos from 1993, 2003, and 2013 (See the “Do You Remember…” features).

Sadly, in the last year, we lost two Mills Masters Jimmy Walczak, long time Sea Turtle sailing buddy of Mark Weiss and Jim Monaghan. Most recently we lost TYC P/C Ron Gabel. Commodore Gabel was not only the club Historian, but also the keeper of all Mills Trophy Race history as well as guardian of all the Mills trophies. Rest in Peace, Commodore.

Wishing you the best for a safe and successful 2023 Mills Trophy Race.

Smooth Sailing,

Ronald P. Soka

2023 General Chairman

April 10, 2023 appreciate all of the participants than a century since that first residents to enj on

Greetings Participants,