By Staff
EDWARDSBURG - With black ribbons streaming from their sails, they will parade, single file, to the starting line.
On Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 18-19, nearly two dozen National One-Design (N.O.D.) sailors will gather together on Eagle Lake to pay tribute to a fallen leader, sailor and friend, the late John P. Makielski.
The two-day, six-race regatta, to be held at the Eagle Lake Sailing Club in Edwardsburg, takes on a bittersweet atmosphere as it lures one of the largest N.O.D. gatherings this sailing season.
Sailing teams from California, Texas, Georgia, Washington, D.C., as well as boats from throughout the Midwest, will compete in honor of the Eagle Lake native who, up until his untimely illness, sailed actively with the class.
A former National One-Design World's Champion, Makielski often played a leadership role with the sailing association and held the title of Commodore periodically for nine years.
"We are so pleased so many, many of our sailing friends have come together to honor Dad, on 'his' lake, in 'his' boat," relays Sara Makielski, daughter and former N.O.D. champion, many times over.
Makielski and two of her siblings will be sailing throughout the regatta, as well as two granddaughters of the late Makielski patriarch.
The starting gun will go off Saturday morning at noon and the sailors hope to score four races by the end of the day. Sunday's race schedule will begin at 11 a.m. and will conclude after two races. A luncheon and an awards ceremony will wrap up the regatta with a special trophy given in honor of the late John P. Makielski.
For more information about the National One-Design racing sloop as well as the Eagle Lake Sailing Club, go to (www.nodra.com).