Detroit (Mich.) June 3, 2001 – The heavy downpours and gray skies that rolled over Lake St. Clair during the Sailing World Detroit NOOD (National Offshore One-Design) Regatta did little to shatter the enthusiasm of some 1,200 sailors competing in this first major sailing regatta of the season.

Competitors’ spirits ran counter to the gloomy weather–and for good reason: this NOOD regatta will stand out in sailors’ memories as a career highlight for its large competitive fleet and an usual run of three consecutive days of stiff, teen-strength breeze.

The Detroit NOOD–presented by Farmers Insurance Group, June 1-3, at host Bayview Yacht Club–drew a field of 234 boats from the United States and Canada. Racers competed in 23 classes, in breeze that ranged 11 to 20 knots throughout the series.