Damaged mast, scraping backside and nice enjoyable

For the second week in a row the climate was good for the Menantic Yacht Club’s Sunfish races on Sunday, Aug. 10, the seventh sequence of the season.  

At the beginning of racing the wind was gentle, however steadily constructed as much as a howling seven or eight knots by day’s finish. Some sailors went swimming to chill off, others suffered that unintentional dip for varied causes. Two sailors suffered damaged elements, three sailors wanted a tow again to shore, and one will need to have been a loyal MacGyver fan. 

All in all it was a profitable day, and enjoyable was had by all 29 sailors who participated.

In between races, I overheard Joan Butler say that her principal block broke. It simply so occurred I had a spare line, not block, onboard that I exploit as a result of my halyard is just too brief. I sailed over to her, and in true MacGyver style Joan rigged a rope block that not solely saved her within the races, however she even took a primary place end in a single race.  

During the fourth race, on the second upwind leg, I suffered a damaged mast that no quantity of jury rigging would have fastened. The crew on the mark boat did double obligation on Sunday, setting marks and performing rescues. Matt Fox, again from a time off final week, Lucy Browne and Mike Donlon have been all smiles after they noticed that it was the Commodore who want a tow to shore.

They even towed me previous my spouse, who was observing from a kayak. Shortly after I used to be towed in, Mary Vetri additionally wanted a tow after experiencing some issues, and Mike, who occurs to be Mary’s brother-in-law, valiantly dove in to offer her a hand.  Thanks, all.

Betty Bishop and Lizzy Cummings, on the chase boat, have been rescuing a sailor who had slipped off his boat, and have been assisted by Eric Ryan, who wasn’t racing on Sunday, however was watching the races from his residence. Eric jumped into motion and headed out in his energy boat to assist. Fortunately, all ended properly. Thanks, Betty, Lizzy and Eric.

During the primary race, Charlie Modica, Jr. thought that the race was twice round and sailed across the gate heading again up wind as a substitute of to the end. Linda Gibbs, who was solidly in second, place adopted go well with till one other sailor knowledgeable them that they have been crusing the fallacious course. Charlie, Sr. has been identified to sail to the fallacious mark additionally. I ponder if there’s something within the water. 

Unfortunately, I wasn’t shut sufficient that it could have altered my rating. Charlie, Jr. nonetheless got here in first on the day, taking solely two first place finishes as a substitute of three, and Linda positioned eleventh general. She was all smiles when she commented throughout the after-race occasion that she shouldn’t be acquainted with trying again on the fleet.

Timothy Mitchell commented that he had his finest race ever in a single race, and he sailed properly general on Sunday. Linda additionally sailed properly on her comparatively new boat.  Unfortunately, it was christened within the fallacious manner when she T-boned Denise Fenchel, turtled, acquired the underside muck caught on the highest of her mast, which then rained down on her.  Yuck. Luckily no injury was performed to both boat or sailor.

Betsy Colby chaired the Race Committee and ran 5 races, ably assisted by Marian Thomsen, Amy Cococcia and Susan Donlon. Thank you all, for an excellent day of crusing.

Matt and Shelly Fox hosted an after-race occasion that was properly attended by an enthusiastic crowd. Matt’s home-cooked pulled pork and hen have been an enormous hit, as have been all of the trimmings. There was additionally an abundance of desserts, together with Betsy’s well-known Key Lime pie, in addition to two different Key Lime pies ordered specifically by Lisa Modica from Pies by Jane, all scrumptious. Many thanks in your hospitality Shelly and Matt.

We are a really congenial family-friendly membership, open to all. We might not have a clubhouse, however the crusing is nice, the camaraderie is excellent, and we simply have large enjoyable. All sailors, novice to professional, are welcome. Just present up in West Neck Harbor at 2 p.m. on any Sunday by means of Labor Day, verify in with the Race Committee, giving them your full title and sail quantity, and be sure you convey your life jacket. Non-sailors are additionally welcome to help with the race committee boat and the stake boat. 

You can get extra details about the MYC on Facebook at Menantic Yacht Club, or from Bob Harris at [email protected] or 505-235-5844. Steve and Melissa Shepstone have a fleet of loaner boats obtainable on a primary to order foundation. Contact Melissa at [email protected] to order your boat. 

See you on the water 

Results:           Pts    Place

Charlie Modica, Jr.    13 1

Peter Beardsley 16 2

Caitlin Cummings 18 3

Melissa Pumpfrey 30 4

Paul Zinger   30 5

Joan Butler   39 6

John Modica   42 7

Alicia Rojas   45 8

Rachel Beardsley     51 9

Charlie Modica,Sr.    65 10

Linda Gibbs   68 11

Will Lehr   68 12

Eugene van Rynbach  69 13

Peter Maes   71 14

Denise Fenchel 74 15

Tim Mitchell 76 16

Peter Due   81 17

Tom McMahon 84 18

Kate Duff   93 19

Peter Zahn 95 20

Bob Harris 97 21

Bill Martens 97 22

John Colby 104 23

Jonathan Brush   105 24

Jodi Sisley 116 25

Isabel Parra    120 26

Mary Vetri 133 27

Sharon Wicks    140 28

Brett Mintz 144 29