Written by Mark Whitehead
Editing Kathleen Whitehead
Photos by Paul McBride, Mark Whitehead, B.B. Wright
Layout & Photo Captions by Paul McBride
Games by Dave Perry
A Slo-o-o-o-ow Day
Winds were definitely on the wimpy side for the August 17 Soling regatta as sixteen regular skippers and guest Bill Webb launched for some fierce competition. We stuck to split-class races for more than fifteen participants, so each class completed only four races – which illustrates how light the breezes were.
Videos and Photos
- Back Bay Skippers Video (WMUR NH Chronicles)
- Back Bay Skippers YouTube Channel
- Latest Videos: Solings, US12s, Lily Pond
- Latest Photos: Solings, US12s, Lily Pond
- Photo Gallery
Previous Highlights
- Sasquatch Regatta (Nor’easter Footy Series) 2021, 2019
- Sheila Ryan Memorial Footy Regatta 2021, 2020
- Awards for 2019 Season
- Tim Wright Wins CAN/AM Challenge 2019
- Lake Discovery Camp 2019
- US12 AMYA Region 1 Championship, Nashua
- Spring Skippers Party 2019
Score Sheets
Our guest had borrowed a boat from Rick Parent’s vast collection since his own yacht was still in Florida, and we hope he’ll join us again sometime –preferably on a better wind day to experience the rush of excitement.
Before racing started, Paul Wallace gave his R/C rescue boat a good test workout. It had been struggling with a lack of speed and steering, but a minor adjustment to the prop and rudder did the trick. No rescues were needed today, and the only thing causing a lack of speed was a lack of wind!
After winning the first race in Sailor Class, the stress of victory was too much for Al Stevens, affecting his performance for the rest of the day. We now have put him on a therapeutic regimen of Yoga and meditation to get him back into first-place shape.
Tom Barstow’s #638 must like the light winds because he pulled off a decisive win in Race Four and a second in Race Six. Well done, Tom! Kudos to Clint Wolcott for his second-place finish in Race Eight.
Most of us really struggle when wind is scarce, but skippers like Tim Wright seem to see or feel the slightest puffs coming and put themselves in a position to move well out in front of the fleet. How do they do that? The rest of us wish we knew.
Out on the Water
Our sailing guru Tim Wright led the way this week, winning all the Master Class races as our light-air specialist. Every week, Dan Masessa and Don Cundy seem to battle it out for second position, and this week, it was Dan who sailed to a strong second place while Don placed an impressive third. Our Boston contingent, Rick Laird – yes, he drives up from Boston every week — fought his way into fourth, and Jay Burns sailed into the fifth slot.
Steve Leker led the Sailor Class fleet with two race wins, followed closely by Tom Barstow in second and Anthony Quinn in the third slot. New boatbuilder Ken Gerber sailed into fourth, with Paul McBride and Joel Nelson tying for fifth. Joel Nelson lost half his races to weed calls so he couldn’t bring up his average.
Fred’s Heavy Rains Canceled US12 Sailing August 19
Join the Fun
The season is still going strong, so folks are encouraged to stop by on Tuesday and Thursday at 1 PM to watch the action (weather permitting, of course), or Wednesday if Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate on Tuesday or Thursday. Make sure you have your camera at the ready. And don’t forget Lily Pond in Gilford Sunday mornings at 9:00, weather permitting!
Upcoming events:
- August 28, 2021 New England Vintage 36 Regatta, Noon, Nashua Model Yacht Club, Sandy Pond, Nashua NH
- September 4, 2021 Schooner, Sloop and Electric Boat Day, Nashua Model Yacht Club, Sandy Pond, Nashua NH
- October 30, 2021 MinuteMan Footy Regatta, Nor’easter Footy Series Race 5, Rosemary Lake, Needham MA
Links: American Model Yachting Association, MinuteMan Model Yacht Club, Nashua Model Yacht Club, Marblehead Model Yacht Club, Greater Worcester Model Yacht Club, Sarasota Model Yacht Club, Space Coast Model Sailing Club, Sun Coast Model Sailing Club, Stowe Yacht Club, USS Constitution Model Shipwright Guild, Vac-U-Soling, 3D Printed Radio Yachts, US Vintage Model Yacht Group