The Mills Trophy Race is the premier sailing race on Lake Erie and is sponsored by the Toledo Yacht Club. It began in 1907 as a test of navigational skills on Lake Erie. The race has been held nearly every year since then and is unique in that it is raced at night. Although the race was originally configured as a triangle beginning and ending at the Toledo Yacht Club, since 1981 the race has begun at the harbor light and ended here at Put-in-Bay. That makes it a 35+ year tradition for the Put-in-Bay Yacht Club being involved. Come visit the island this weekend and see hundreds of sailing ships lining the docks in downtown Put-in-Bay.
The weekend kicks off with the Mills Party (open to the public) at Toledo Yacht Club on the evening of Thursday, June 7th. The races start the afternoon of Friday, June 8 and the racers continue on one of three long distance courses overnight, ending at Put-in-Bay. Saturday afternoon brings the Sailors Party at Put-in-Bay Yacht Club and plenty of fun on the docks and around South Bass Island. The weekend culminates with the Awards Ceremony on Sunday morning and the racers depart for home. Once again this year, BLYC’s Steve Harris will serve as the Principal Race Officer for the event. If you’re thinking of coming up and enjoying a fun time on the island with fellow sailors, let him know!
For more information on the Mills, click on the image above.