Tom
Our Visionary: Tom- A life-long resident of Grosse Pointe, Tom has sailed nearly every race this part of the world has to offer to include at least 15 Port Huron to Mackinac races. A Cub Scout Leader, Grosse Pointe Little League coach, a founding member of the Grosse Pointe South High School Team, Tom is constantly trying to afford our children bigger and better opportunities. His vision… "to assemble a group of dads, willing to allow their children the opportunity to sail the Mac”. The kids are to take part in all the training and boat preparation requirements before the race, but after will be able to claim this race as theirs.
Our Visionary: Tom- A life-long resident of Grosse Pointe, Tom has sailed nearly every race this part of the world has to offer to include at least 15 Port Huron to Mackinac races. A Cub Scout Leader, Grosse Pointe Little League coach, a founding member of the Grosse Pointe South High School Team, Tom is constantly trying to afford our children bigger and better opportunities. His vision… "to assemble a group of dads, willing to allow their children the opportunity to sail the Mac”. The kids are to take part in all the training and boat preparation requirements before the race, but after will be able to claim this race as theirs.
Ari
Our Skipper: Ari- Growing up on Martha’s Vineyard, where sailing is introduced soon after a child’s first steps, his love of sailing developed early. A major airline pilot today, his depth of knowledge in sail/wing theory, fluid dynamics, and weather is invaluable to our team. When first presented with the idea, Ari quickly offered his 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 49, believing that its modern design would provide not only a safe and comfortable experience but also relevance for these new sailors as they pursue this hobby. Ari states that he has a passion for taking big concepts and procedures and developing simplified systems. In keeping with this, his goal is to take this young group of sailing-passionate kids and quickly produce a race ready crew. He is developing a syllabus that isolates the complexities of large-boat sailing into manageable duties.
Our Skipper: Ari- Growing up on Martha’s Vineyard, where sailing is introduced soon after a child’s first steps, his love of sailing developed early. A major airline pilot today, his depth of knowledge in sail/wing theory, fluid dynamics, and weather is invaluable to our team. When first presented with the idea, Ari quickly offered his 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 49, believing that its modern design would provide not only a safe and comfortable experience but also relevance for these new sailors as they pursue this hobby. Ari states that he has a passion for taking big concepts and procedures and developing simplified systems. In keeping with this, his goal is to take this young group of sailing-passionate kids and quickly produce a race ready crew. He is developing a syllabus that isolates the complexities of large-boat sailing into manageable duties.
Greg
Our Technician: Greg- Another life-long Grosse Pointe resident, he grew up racing Flying Juniors as a teenager. Over the years, Greg crewed larger boats and has competed in the “Mac” race numerous times on a variety of designs (C&C-48, Catalina-30, J-120, Beneteau 42, etc.). Always keeping his hand in the small boat game, he enjoys racing Lasers and his 17’ one-design Thistle at Crescent Sail Yacht Club. He also enjoys participating in regatta venues ranging from Lake St. Clair, Michigan to St. Petersburg, Florida. Sailing is a life-long tradition in his family and he is sharing his love for the sport with his son, Daniel.
Our Technician: Greg- Another life-long Grosse Pointe resident, he grew up racing Flying Juniors as a teenager. Over the years, Greg crewed larger boats and has competed in the “Mac” race numerous times on a variety of designs (C&C-48, Catalina-30, J-120, Beneteau 42, etc.). Always keeping his hand in the small boat game, he enjoys racing Lasers and his 17’ one-design Thistle at Crescent Sail Yacht Club. He also enjoys participating in regatta venues ranging from Lake St. Clair, Michigan to St. Petersburg, Florida. Sailing is a life-long tradition in his family and he is sharing his love for the sport with his son, Daniel.
Craig
The Enthusiast: If it was up to him, he would remission a spy satellite to help cover this race. Growing up in Connecticut, encounters with water were often. His experience began, while in the Boy Scouts, on power boats, white water rafts, and canoes. As a teen he landed himself a job as a power-train and electronics rigger at a small boat yard. In 1987 Craig earned his Eagle Scout Award. The next year, he traded in his water-wings for a set of aircraft wings and pursued his love of flying. In 1988 he earned his Private Pilot license and subsequently has obtained his Commercial Pilot License for both single and multi-engine aircraft and instrument ratings at the Florida Institute of Technology. It was then, with great access to water and wind, Craig took up sailing. Now in Detroit, he has managed to find a career that blends his passion for technology and stay close to the world of flying all the while, living in an area where he can continue to sail. Craig is proud to be a member of a wonderful community where he is able to give back. He is a Grosse Pointe Little League coach, and the local Cub Scout Pack leader. Craig's enthusiasm permeates all around him. He will undoubtedly add a level of excitement, as well as every electronic gadget he can get his hands on prior to setting sail!
The Enthusiast: If it was up to him, he would remission a spy satellite to help cover this race. Growing up in Connecticut, encounters with water were often. His experience began, while in the Boy Scouts, on power boats, white water rafts, and canoes. As a teen he landed himself a job as a power-train and electronics rigger at a small boat yard. In 1987 Craig earned his Eagle Scout Award. The next year, he traded in his water-wings for a set of aircraft wings and pursued his love of flying. In 1988 he earned his Private Pilot license and subsequently has obtained his Commercial Pilot License for both single and multi-engine aircraft and instrument ratings at the Florida Institute of Technology. It was then, with great access to water and wind, Craig took up sailing. Now in Detroit, he has managed to find a career that blends his passion for technology and stay close to the world of flying all the while, living in an area where he can continue to sail. Craig is proud to be a member of a wonderful community where he is able to give back. He is a Grosse Pointe Little League coach, and the local Cub Scout Pack leader. Craig's enthusiasm permeates all around him. He will undoubtedly add a level of excitement, as well as every electronic gadget he can get his hands on prior to setting sail!
Fletch
Our Photographer/Web master: Fletch- Having moved to America twelve years ago from Great Britain, Fletch was a perfect match. In the short time since the move, he has already raced the Port Huron to Mackinac 5 times. Before that, Fletch was the first mate on a 72’ sailing vessel which sailed throughout the North Sea in a program that offered the sailing experience to underprivileged and inner city teens in England. A professional photographer by trade, Fletch will be helping to memorialize the event on film and video and posting them on this site. We feel that this will not only be an important keepsake for our young racers, but more importantly, encourage newcomers considering their own attempt at the “Mac".
Our Photographer/Web master: Fletch- Having moved to America twelve years ago from Great Britain, Fletch was a perfect match. In the short time since the move, he has already raced the Port Huron to Mackinac 5 times. Before that, Fletch was the first mate on a 72’ sailing vessel which sailed throughout the North Sea in a program that offered the sailing experience to underprivileged and inner city teens in England. A professional photographer by trade, Fletch will be helping to memorialize the event on film and video and posting them on this site. We feel that this will not only be an important keepsake for our young racers, but more importantly, encourage newcomers considering their own attempt at the “Mac".
Nick
The "child-less dad" with a love for anything on the water. Deprived of sailing by graduate school with an opportunity to race with aspiring Eagle Scouts and a group of great sailors, Nick couldn't resist the Mac! Having only done one Mac race, Nick is thrilled by this opportunity to race again. He was a varsity sailor for Grosse Pointe South High School racing 420s and coached junior sailing at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club. Back in high school, he earned his Eagle Scout award and is very much excited about racing with other scouts. Studying statistics, he is always looking for opportunities to put data to work. In his dimly lit office, he's scheming ways to model wind speeds on Lake Huron. After all, someone has to find the breeze first!
The "child-less dad" with a love for anything on the water. Deprived of sailing by graduate school with an opportunity to race with aspiring Eagle Scouts and a group of great sailors, Nick couldn't resist the Mac! Having only done one Mac race, Nick is thrilled by this opportunity to race again. He was a varsity sailor for Grosse Pointe South High School racing 420s and coached junior sailing at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club. Back in high school, he earned his Eagle Scout award and is very much excited about racing with other scouts. Studying statistics, he is always looking for opportunities to put data to work. In his dimly lit office, he's scheming ways to model wind speeds on Lake Huron. After all, someone has to find the breeze first!
