The Yukon sailing community came together last night for Whitehorse’s first regatta since the Yukon Breeze Sailing Society was established in 2010.

Mike Evans came all the way from Haines Junction for the race after he got a text from friend Jaret Slipp, who needed a second body to help him sail his enterprise boat, Tenacity.

“The highlight of my summer,” said Slipp, whose smile never left his face. “It’s really nice to bring the community together.”

The winds behaved for the first time this season as beginner and experienced sailors alike took part in the fun triangle course regatta at Schwatka Lake.

The idea for the regatta was hatched after summer kids camps instructors wanted to see if they could get an adult drop-in night going with the club’s handful of laser boats.

The drop-in night was a success, but not many knew how to sail, said Gemma Clark, an instructor with the club.

So the six-week course turned into learn-to-sail with the final Wednesday – last night – as a race. About two weeks out of the event, the Midnight Sun Regatta was born.

But it wasn’t just for the drop-in adults, a small group of kids turned out as well as some of the territory’s more experienced sailors.

For veteran sailor Jim Bell, it was great to see so many boats out on the water at once.

“I haven’t seen so may folks out sailing here,” he said. “It’s pretty exciting.”

When Vincent Larochelle moved to Whitehorse, he had no idea that sailing was even an option in the Yukon.

He had started sailing in Ottawa a few years ago but last night was his first time on the water North of 60.

“I hadn’t sailed for a year, so it was great to be back on the lake today. It was ideal conditions too,” he said during the post-race barbecue. “I love it when the wind kicks in and you can feel its power being translated into the dagger.”

For what felt like the first time this season, the wind cooperated, said Clark, who organized the regatta.

She said usually the wind comes from either the dam or Miles Canyon.

“Within seconds it would do a 180-degree turn,” she said. But last night it was consistent, always coming from the same side.

“The conditions were perfect,” she said. “I don’t think we could have asked for anything better than that.

As she was driving the safety boat, manning the start and finish, and helping out sailors who found themselves in the drink, Clark was amazed at how well her drop-in adults were doing.

“I was totally blown away,” she said. “I couldn’t believe it. I was really amazed at how good everyone was especially when it was windy.”

While Clark is returning to university in B.C. this fall, she hopes that the race is the start of a sailing community in the Yukon.

“It was so successful and people seemed really happy,” she said. “I hope it carries on.”