Double weekend racing for some Menatic Yacht Club regulars

The Menantic Yacht Club held its third series of Sunfish races this past Sunday in West Neck Harbor. 

For the third Sunday in a row, the wind was light and shifty, strengthening slightly as the day went on, requiring a number of mark moves. From the perspective of the wind, it was not an Advil-type day, but I’m sure a number of sailors were sore and tired from their participation in the World’s Longest Sunfish Race (WLSR) see: Menantic Yacht Club stalwarts in competition circumnavigating Shelter Island) that was held the day before in very light to non-existent wind conditions.

Twenty-five sailors participated on Sunday, including Mark Peress, who has sailed with the MYC before, and his 14-year-old daughter, Tess. They sailed together, but didn’t really race since they had to leave early. I hope they will be back. Newcomers included Julie Lindel, who Tom McMahon and I towed to the Southold Yacht Club at the end of the WLSR, Ed Kaire, and Alicia Rojas.

It was Alicia’s third time on a Sunfish and first time racing, and she will definitely become a regular. Welcome back, Doug Rose and Jake Siewert. Jake commented that it was great being back on the water. Doug drives up from Virginia to participate.

Will Lehr, who recently accepted early admission to NYU, was back from his fencing tournament and obviously did not forget how to sail, as he performed quite well. Good going, Will. The 25th sailor never gave his name and finished dead last.

The top sailors were competitive. Paul Zinger had a great day, placing 1st in four races and 1st overall. Peter Beardsley, coming off an 8th place finish in the WLSR, placed 2nd, with 18 points to Paul’s 9. Lee Montes took 1st in two races, missed the first race but placed 3rd. Ruth Hakanson also missed the first race and still placed 9th overall. Way to go, all.

John Modica kept looking for his brother Charlie, but he had to crane his neck to look backwards in four out of six races, since Charlie was behind him. John took 4th place to Charlie’s 5th by just 3 points, continuing the Modica saga. Linda Gibbs did fairly well coming off of her spectacular 10th place finish in the WLSR, and Jodi Sisley had a couple of good races and gave up her last place position to the unnamed 25th sailor.

The entire fleet is showing marked improvement, with an increasing number of sailors doing well in at least some races. Consistency is the key.

Commodore Pete Bethge was the principal race officer (PRO) on Sunday. Also aboard the committee boat were Betsy Colby, our longtime score keeper, Marian Thomsen and Nancy Miller. AWOL was Sallie Bethge, whose smiling face was missed. She is visiting friends out of town. The Race Committee ran six races mixing up the courses. Thank you all for doing a superb job.

Rob Bethge captained one chase boat with Steve Shepstone as crew. Matt Fox captained the other chase boat, crewed by Susie Masse and her son, Richard. With the constant wind shifts, they were kept busy moving marks all day. Thanks, guys.

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. All sailors, novice to expert, are welcome. Just show up in West Neck Harbor at 2 p.m. on any Sunday through Labor Day, check in with the Race Committee, giving them your full name and sail number, be sure to bring your life jacket, and for the protection of the chase boat crew, be fully vaccinated.

Also bring a signed waiver if sailing for the first time. Commodore Bethge has a fleet of loaner boats available on a first-to-reserve basis. Call Bob Harris at 505-235-5844 (email: [email protected]) or Ellen Leonforte at 914-450-1450 (email: [email protected]) to reserve your boat or just to ask about our incredible club.

See you on the water.

Results:                                           Pts.         Place

Paul Zinger                                          9                                        1

Peter Beardsley                                 18                                     2

Lee Montes                                         34                                     3

John Modica                                       41                                     4

Charlie Modica                                 44                                     5

Doug Rose                                           48                                    6

Linda Gibbs                                        59                                     7

Bob Harris                                           63                                    8

Ruth Hakanson                                 64                                      9

Denise Fenchel                                 69                                    10

Rachel Beardsley                              69                                     11

Will Lehr                                               74                                    12

Tom McMahon                                 82                                     13

Bill Martens                                        83                                     14

Julie Lindel                                          84                                     15

John Colby                                           88                                     16

Jake Siewert                                        98                                     17

Jonathan Brush                                 100                                  18

Kate Duff                                              101                                  19

Ellen Leonforte                                 101                                  20

Ed Kaire                                                 107                                  21

Mary Vetri                                            118                                  22

Alicia Rojas                                          128                                  23

Jodi Sisley                                             129                                 24

Nameless                                               155                             25