Menantic Yacht Club: Fine weather, better sailing
Unlike last week’s washout, Sunday brought another nice day for the Menantic Yacht Club (MYC) Sunfish races.
Rumor had it that Commodore Bethge’s daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Steve Shepstone, both world-class sailors, would make an appearance for just the second time this summer, and they did. They both would have preferred last week’s heavy air compared to this week’s 7- to 11-knot blow, but being on the water is what counts. Steve discovered an improved fleet and stiff competition, resulting in his placing third overall.
Twenty-one sailors participated in the eighth series of Sunfish races on Sunday, including, to quote Linda Gibbs, who really didn’t want to be quoted, “a gaggle of nine elite women, three of whom were wearing hot pink MYC shirts.”
Evidently the memo about hot pink didn’t make it around the entire fleet. I look forward to the day when women outnumber men in the MYC.
The sailing was competitive, in a manner of speaking. The boat end of the start line was favored, and that was where Lee Montes started every race. He was so far out in front of everyone else that he was described as sailing by himself. Lee took home five firsts and a second to finish in first place overall, with a total of seven points. If you compete in both of the last series of races you will qualify for the season, Lee, and possibly place first for the season. Just a reminder.
Several other sailors, including Peter Beardsley, Steve and Paul Zinger, used years of experience and sailing strategy dueling with each other for second, third and fourth places. Good thing it was only boats and not pistols. Normally one wouldn’t use the term “sticks like velcro” in describing anything to do with sailing. However, that is the term Peter used to describe how close he and Steve sailed to each other on Sunday.
During one race, Peter and Steve were approaching the pin end of the finish line when Steve out-maneuvered Peter, who wound up not only fouling Steve but hitting the pin just as the bow of Steve’s boat crossed the finish line.
At that moment, with the bow over the line and Steve’s finish recorded for all of history, he fell out of his boat, which was also recorded.
Peter, on the other hand, had to do a 360 penalty turn, costing him a few places in that race. There were a lot of close finishes during the day. Overall, Peter beat Steve by 3 points to place second on the day. Paul was a close fourth.
Denise Fenchel showed her skills, beating both Rachel Beardsley and Linda Gibbs, Rachel by only 1 point and Linda by an unimaginable 5 points. Way to go Denise! Kyle Hvidsten, a beginner who has been finishing last by a wide margin, is narrowing that margin considerably.
George Zinger, along with Betsy Colby and Marian Thomsen, ran Race Committee. Six races were run and there was only one over early. We’re all happy George is back and feeling his oats. Thanks all for a superb job!
Remember sailors, come up alongside the committee boat prior to racing and give them your sail number and full name. Don’t forget your life preserver and face mask, and be sure to maintain proper distancing and follow the MYC’s COVID-19 protocols on the water and on land.
Billy Sulahian captained the chase boat along with Joni Campbell, Judy Hole and Noah Therrien. They had an enjoyable, but busy afternoon. Unfortunately, Jodi Sisley has a tendency of flipping, and has maintained a near-perfect record this year. Billy had to render assistance by jumping overboard during her first flip, but Jodi righted her boat by herself on the second flip. As with former MYC regular Melanie Coronetz, who always came in last until she didn’t, you will all of a sudden get the hang of it and stop flipping, Jodi. In the meantime, we applaud your persistence. Thank you, all.
We are a very congenial club, open to all, with no dues, no fees and no clubhouse. The sailing is great, the camaraderie is superb, and we just have tremendous fun. Normally, all sailors, novice to expert, are welcome, but, due to COVID-19, for the time being the club is only allowing experienced Sunfishers who are physically capable of righting their own boats so as to avoid unnecessary contact with the chase boat crew.
Contact Peter Beardsley if you want to reserve a loaner boat for the Sunday races, on a first to reserve basis, at 917-696-8229, or email [email protected]. Unfortunately, this season reservations are available for experienced Sunfishers only.
See you on the water.
Results
Name Pts Place
Lee Montes 7 1
Peter Beardsley 16 2
Steve Shepstone 19 3
Paul Zinger 24 4
Ruth Hakenson 37 5
Melissa Shepstone 40 6
John Modica 42 7
Joe Sullivan 49 8
Denise Fenchel 59 9
Rachel Beardsley 60 10
Linda Gibbs 64 11
Bill Martens 74 12
Susanne Hulme 78 13
Dave Olsen 84 14
Will Lehr 87 15
Ellen Leonforte 88 16
Tom McMahon 95 17
Jonathan Brush 110 18
Mary Vetri 112 19
Jodi Sisley 119 20
Kyle Hvidsten 125 21
