For our last race of the Regatta season- The Annual SBCC/ BSYC Discoverers Race to Atlantique last Saturday, October 12th was another winner for all involved.
The weather was good- sunny and warm with 14 kt NW winds but the steady gusts up to 28 kts made it challenging. To reef or not to reef, that was the key question. Those that did were prudent but paid the price. With a downwind start and forecasts of the winds moderating (which it did), boats that kept full sail up had the edge and won the day.
We had 12 boats register and 11 boats started. Our Race Committee was John Holst & crew who did a very professional job setting the start and finish lines for us- our thanks for a job well done.
The pursuit start went smoothly with 7 boats in the Racing/Non-spin and 4 in the Cruising class. Cudos go to Tom & Sue Davison in Adventure Time who sailed the race with just their jib after ripping their main in a strong gust just before the start. The first downwind leg to Crazy Charlie required poles- those racers without poles paid the price (like Shadow!). Pandemonium sailed a good first leg while Banshee & Halve Maen battled it out. Both Jewel & Bertha with her big gaff main were able to hold their spots in the front of the fleet.
Leg two was a sprint with some good sail handling but the final leg to the finish at #12 buoy was again downwind. Jewel & Bertha led the fleet for 1st & third over the line along with Pandemonium who kept their fast pace and took 2nd at the finish. Banshee & Halve Maen continued their boat for boat fight and Banshee just pulled ahead at the finish barely 6 seconds ahead of Halve Maen for 4th and 5th respectively. Only 2.5 minutes separated the top 5 finishes.
All but one boat pulled into Atlantique for our awards party. Matt Rainis and the Bay Shore YC team cooked up some hot dogs and provided drinks while Eric Winberry and the SBCC group brought two 5 ft heros and side salads for the racers. Everyone enjoyed the afternoon with plenty of sun, food and friendly conversation. Some cruisers from the SBCC Fall Family Weekend rendezvous also joined the party. It was good to see so many sailboats in Atlantique this late in the season. In the afternoon Matt Rainis announced the BSYC Raymond G. Terry Cup winner and Charlie Margeson presented the SBCC Discoverers Race awards for the Racing and Cruising classes. Following the celebratory cheers and pictures, the racers slowly began their return trips home.
Congratulations to the winners:
Race/Non-Spin class:
1st place: Jewel- L. Becker
2nd place: Pandemonium- G. Sebouhian
3rd place: Banshee- C. DeMarco
Cruising class:
1st place: Bertha- M. Rainis
2nd place: Noddy- J. Papa
3rd place: Snoopy- D. DeRuvo
BSYC Raymond G Terry Cup: Jewel- Larry Becker
The Annual SBCC/ BSYC Discoverers Race to Atlantique is such a great way to end our racing season each year and this year's race was no exception. Good wind and great weather made for one last fun race and an excellent fall afternoon party with good friends. I hope everyone had as good a time as Janie & I did, we always look forward this weekend.
Enjoy the Fall!
Charlie Margeson
SBCC Regatta Captain
