Courtesy photo | Aboard Manitu during Wednesday evening's sailing race on Little Bay de Noc, Dave Anthony, right, and brother John Anthony tune the mainsail's outhaul.

ESCANABA — Hardy sailors had a good night of racing on Wednesday, although the rain kept some boats from leaving the harbor for the Escanaba Yacht Club (EYC)’s last series race of the year.

Before race’s start, Manitu opted to tow Lucille back to the start line. Lucille’s crew had been practicing beforehand, but when wind subsided, they were all but stranded on the east side of the bay near Little Bay de Noc Buoy 8, unable to make it back to the starting line in time for the race.

The bulk freighter Algoma Compass left port at Escanaba’s ore dock at about the same time, making for an interesting background to the pre-race shenanigans. True to form with this year’s August series, a sudden mid-race shift saw winds change from light air out of the south to a northerly breeze. With only Manitu representing the cruising class, they shared the same start and course as the spinnaker boats.

The course took participating sailboats from Sand Point to Little Bay de Noc Shoal Buoy 10, then to Escanaba Buoy 1 (near the Municipal Dock) before the finish line at Sand Point.

In the spinnaker course, Hoopla, skippered by Mark Meyer, took first place. Dolce with Bob Yin and crew finished second; Lucille, skippered by Steve Harris, came in third.

Manitu, skippered by David Anthony, took first in the cruising class by default.

The EYC’s final competition of the year is a special event: the Frostbite Race, which begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6. The skipper’s meeting is at 10 a.m. at the clubhouse.

Spectators are encouraged to watch the start of the race from the end of Sand Point.