We know that many Italia Yachts owners around the world participate in prestigious regattas with great enthusiasm and often remarkable success. While we occasionally receive updates on results with some delay, it’s always the right time to celebrate the achievements of our sailors, and we love sharing them.
This was certainly the case for Tom Paine and his IY 13.98 Seaquel — previously known as Artemis under Jeff Kennedy — who claimed victory in the Cruising 1 Class at the 115th Chicago Mackinac Race and secured an impressive third place overall in a fiercely competitive fleet of 37 boats.
This iconic 330-mile regatta, organized by the Chicago Yacht Club on Lake Michigan, was particularly challenging in 2024 due to a violent storm that swept through the racecourse, causing severe damage and dismasting’s among several competitors.
“It was a race that truly tested Seaquel’s crew, but we were fully prepared to face the variable weather conditions. I was fortunate to have an awesome crew that sailed the boat well in light upwind conditions at the start of the race and then took advantage of the strong downwind conditions for most of the race. ”
Looking ahead, Tom Paine is already planning to compete in local club races in 2025 and aims to defend his title at the next Chicago Mackinac. In addition to doing well on the race course, Seaquel can also be found cruising around the Great Lakes during the summer with friends and family.
