By Josh Berenter | The Grand Rapids Press The Grand Rapids Press
HOLLAND -- Team Heritage of the Macatawa Bay Yacht Club has members from all over the world. But the hometown favorite is David Sligh, a lifelong Holland resident and fifth generation M.B.Y.C. Member.
Sligh has dedicated his life to sailing and is reveling in the opportunity to compete for the 2011 Canada’s Cup at the club where he has sailed for 35 years.
"It’s a wonderful honor to have been asked to do this at my home club and defend this trophy," Sligh said. "The Canada’s Cup is very unique in its age, heritage and traditions. It’s a real honor to get to compete for such a prestigious award."
The 39-year-old grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan, spending most of his time at M.B.Y.C. as a child. His father, David Sr. is the club co-chair, and Sligh said his family bred him to be a sailor.
"My grandfather was the patriarch of sailing in our family. My father was very excited about it, and cousins and uncles and so forth," Sligh said. "I’ve been racing since I was 5 years old. It was just very natural for me to sail. I grew up loving it, and it’s what I love to do."
Sligh joined Team Heritage in June, and is competing in his first Canada’s Cup. He said it is tough to juggle competitive sailing with his career as an owner of Midwest Pallet, a pallet manufacturing company Sligh co-founded seven years ago.
"Competitive sailing is a very, very difficult endeavor, and difficult to master," Sligh said. "It’s a lifelong commitment of continually getting better and challenging yourself. I’m happy to be a part of it."
Team Heritage helmsman Bob Hughes, 48, said Sligh iis a vital member of the team despite his amateur status.
"To have somebody like that, with those kind of roots and tradition, is good to have on the boat," said Hughes, of Ada. "It’s a big advantage. He spends every single day here out in the water so he’s seen everything. To have that kind of experience is a big help. He wears a lot of hats on the boat, and does a lot of different things for us."
Sligh and Hughes have competed together since 2000 when they won a regional regatta in Key West, Fla. Hughes said having Sligh in the boat beside him is comforting, and that he adds some luck.
"He’s just a guy who’s on the water all the time," Hughes said. "That’s what your looking for on the boat, a well-rounded sailor that has a lot of different skill sets."
M.B.Y.C. co-chair Robert De Jong said it is exciting for the whole club to have Sligh representing it in one of the world’s most prestigious sailing races.
"He’s a born and bred member," De Jong said. "He’s always been active in sailing here. He started out as a young kid, and he’s grown up through the fleet.
"This is an incredibly exciting experience. He’s the favorite son of this club. We know, and we’re closer to Dave than anyone."
Sligh said it has been a long time coming for M.B.Y.C to host the Canada’s Cup, which first took place in 1896. This is the first time it has been held in Holland.
"It’s a testament to our area. West Michigan is just beautiful," Sligh said. "Everybody is just enthralled with the area, and it’s been wonderful exposure for our club.
"It’s an honor to be allowed to host this. We’re happy everyone is here to play ball, and they’re enjoying the area as well."
Team Heritage entered the day trailing Team Vincere, of the Royal Canadian Yacht Club, 2-1 in the best-of-9 format. Heritage lost the first regatta Saturday by about 10 seconds, but dominated the final regatta of the day, winning by more than two minutes, to narrow the deficit to 3-2 overall.
"We’re going to continue to do what we’ve been doing," Sligh said. "We had a good deal of success last weekend (in the Defender’s Trials), and we’re going to try to get back to that mode of sailing. We have to stay focused and keep our eyes on the prize."
The lack of wind this weekend that has plagued the Canada’s Cup shortened Saturday’s action as well. The races were scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., but were delayed almost three hours, allowing only the team’s to complete two regattas.
The competition continues Sunday, with the Canadians leading the overall competition 3-2. Races are set to begin at 11 a.m.
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