Manitoulin Race's Oldest Skipper Not Ready To Slow Down
Hibbard Has Been Sailing Since Age 13
By Eric Fish

Eighty-three-year-old Bill Hibbard on his boat, Tack-Too, prior to the Mackinac-to-Manitoulin yacht race Thursday, July 26. A resident of St. Joseph's Island, Ontario, he has been sailing since he was 13. He captured the Hibbard trophy in this year's race, awarded to the oldest skipper winning a pennant.

Don't tell Bill Hibbard he's too old to still be sailing.

At 83, Mr. Hibbard is the envy of every other captain in the Mackinac to Manitoulin yacht race, which set off for its fourth annual sailing Thursday, July 26.

Four years ago, his daughter, Jennifer, talked him into racing in the first annual Mackinac to Manitoulin race, which starts from Mackinac Island and ends in Little Current, Ontario. The race was originally started to promote sailing in Canada's North Channel and help garner support for the Little Current Yacht Club. Mr. Hibbard has sailed in each race since.

"I've looked forward to it each year from then on," he said, noting the story behind his involvement in the event. "I never do particularly well, but I enjoy the company and the fun of the competition."

Mr. Hibbard has been sailing since he was about 13 years old and even sold the Canadian Tanzer sailboats. He resides on St. Joseph's Island, Ontario, and has amassed an impressive list of sailing destinations during his 70 years on the water.

Aside from smaller sailing adventures like the Trans Superior Race, which begins in Sault Ste. Marie and ends in Duluth, Minnesota, Mr. Hibbard has sailed down the east coast of the United States to the Bahamas numerous times. To help celebrate his 80th birthday, he sailed across the Atlantic Ocean with friends and family.

"I wish we would've had more wind," he said of the adventure. "The winds were kind of light. Unfortunately, we had to do a lot of motoring."

He accumulated more memories in this year's Mackinac to Manitoulin race, sailing with his youngest daughter, Jennifer, the one who was partially responsible for involving him in the race. She just recently returned from sailing off the coast of England.

"I've got an accomplished crew," he noted.

Mr. Hibbard sailed the race aboard his boat, Tack Too. Purchased just months ago, it is the fourth craft he's owned over the years that's shared the same name.

"They say it's unlucky to change a boat's name," he explained, "so I don't change the boat's name, I just change the boat."

Mr. Hibbard's goal this year was to take home an award he suggested in the race's second running. It's an award that goes to the race's oldest skipper, that was fittingly named in his honor. The only reason he hasn't won it every year since its inauguration is because of a stipulation he placed on it.

"The rules of it is you have to be the oldest skipper, but you also have to take a pennant," he said, noting that a pennant win goes to first, second, or third place in a respective race class. "You can't win it just by being the oldest.

"My goal this year is to take the Hibbard Trophy. The gentleman who took it the last two years is not racing. I know the age factor is not going to be a problem."

Upon completion of the fourth sailing of the Mackinac to Manitoulin race, Mr. Hibbard took the crown of the trophy named in his honor. He also placed first in the Cruising B Class for the second leg of the race.

Mr. Hibbard celebrated his 83rd birthday at the race's conclusion Saturday, July 28. The other captains rewarded their oldest skipper friend with a cake.

Mr. Hibbard said he hopes to continue sailing until he's 90.