Written by Mark Whitehead
Edited by Kathleen Whitehead
Layout by Paul McBride
Congratulations!
Our longtime skipper Ned Lakeman has reached 95 years young. We’ve missed him since his move to Florida, but he’s always in our hearts — and he was perfectly content to throw away his snow shovel!
US12 Sailing
Six US12 skippers lowered their boats onto Back Bay June 18 for some great sailing. The first day usually has a few glitches, but except for the heat, all went well. Although a mask hid his face, the new fleet member was Kurt Clason, but from all reports, there was a big smile under that mask.
Lily Pond Sailing by Tim Wright
Lily Pond sailing began on Father’s Day, June 21. The pond was low and there were plants growing to the surface. Bill Hagerup and I raced US12s, and Diane LaBella showed up and tried her Soling. It sailed but there wasn’t a lot of wind. However, I’m happy to report we never had to rescue her boat.
Dave Taylor stopped by but needed to do some work to his boat before he could use it. Also, Eric Borrin arrived with his Tippecanoe 65, but the weeds would have been too much for his keel.
Ellen and Skip Koehler also were there and stayed through the competition, but Skip’s boat wouldn’t turn on. Bill Hagerup helped him troubleshoot the problem, and he now knows to check his wires to see if they are corroded. We will see.
Lily Pond in Light Wind and Lots of Lilies
Awards Day
The coronavirus pandemic unfortunately canceled our skipper party this year and also delayed the start of our sailing season. We still needed to honor the accomplishments of 2019, however.
2019 Soling Sailors Class
1st Don McBride
2nd Paul McBride
3rd Denis Boisvert
2019 Soling Master Class
1st Tim Wright
2nd Rick Lalley
3rd Tom Greig
2019 US12 Fleet
1st Tim Wright
2nd Bill Hagerup
3rd Don Cundy
Special Awards
Most Improved Soling Fleet: Paul Wallace
Most Improved US12 Fleet: Bill Hagerup
The Sunken Ship Award: Al Stevens (for multiple mast breaking)
Incidentally, Al broke the mast on the trophy before he could get it home!
Second Soling Regatta of the 2020 Season
Tim Wright had sailing all planned out and it worked like a charm. Last week, we drew clothespins for a red and a blue team to keep the numbers down along the path. This week, we used a numbered sequence to keep ten of our seventeen skippers sailing at once. Needless to say, there was less time spent on transitions and more time sailing, completing nine races for the day.
Bragging Rights
Even though there is no official scoring, our scoring guru Ellen Koehler continues to keep us in line and record crossings at the finish. You best not jump the start with Ellen watching!
Scoring is a straight average on races run with no consideration for DNF’s or other factors. Top gun this week was Tim Wright, followed by Denis Boisvert in second, Mac MacDonald and Mark Whitehead tied for third, Jay Burns in fourth, and Dan Masessa earning fifth. These gentlemen have earned the right to brag and we’re sure they will!
Join Us if You Like
But please maintain at least that six-foot distance. Bring your camera for the show but also bring and wear a face mask. Sailing always begins at 1:00 p.m. on Back Bay at the Lehner Street/Glendon Street municipal parking area, weather permitting. Solings sail on Tuesday, the US12s compete on Thursday, and “what you brung” at 9 AM Sundays at Lily Pond in Gilford. Wednesdays are available should a Tuesday or Thursday regatta have to be canceled.
