Do you know Nick Ward? If you race around the Central Michigan area, chances are you do. For the past five years, Nick has been active – and remains active – in a bunch of different classes of boats from Tartan Tens to Cal 25s to S2 7.9s, North American 40s, a Farr 49 and a STP 65. But as of last September, he’s now a Viper 640 owner and that’s what he’ll be riding at CRW this year.

This product development manager for the automotive industry says he bought the Viper with a few goals in mind: “First, I wanted to have a boat that would allow me to sail year-round. But I also wanted a boat that I could drive. Except for sailing the Viper, I’ve essentially spent no time on the helm in my racing and sailing experience.”

Nick grew up in a sailing family, but he didn’t transition to racing until a few years ago. Now, he’s all about it. “We’ve sailed about 50 races since I got the Viper. It’s going to be my winter season boat, from September through April, and in the summer, I’ll mostly race on the Tartan Ten that I co-own.”

So what’s the best thing about racing in the Viper 640 Class for Nick (aside from his boat’s name: Proper Villian)? “The boat, it is easy and fun to sail,” he says. “Plus, it’s also very fast! And the other people in the class make it fun and inviting. I think the competition is great because there is a mix of levels in the class, so there a lots of smaller battles taking place during any single race in a regatta. But I also get the sense that this class has attracted a bunch of high-level sailors and that gives me a gauge to see how my skills are stacking up.”

For Race Week, Nick says he’ll be sailing with friends from his Tartan Ten crew. Except for being on board a 19-foot boat, he doesn’t expect that much about the regatta will be unfamiliar because he’s been here four times before, and two of those experiences were in the last three years.  

So how does Nick expect to do this year? “Well, my goal for the event is to continue to improve and avoid making any large, costly mistakes. Ultimately, I want to begin focusing in on the details of each race. If I can get to that stage during the event, any place on the scoresheet will be a win.”
You can keep up with Nick and the Proper Villian crew online here: https://www.facebook.com/Proper-Villain-553183601385465/?ref=bookmarks.