Manhasset Bay Yacht Club’s Fall Series

The 39th edition of Manhasset Bay Yacht Club’s Fall Series was held over the weekend of Oct. 13-15 and Oct. 21. The first weekend was devoted to around the buoy racing, with the last day reserved for a long distance race.
On Friday, the first day of racing, the wind decided to take a break and stay home. There was no racing that day and the forecast for Saturday and Sunday was dire. No wind would be making an appearance on Long Island Sound. But under the leadership of Sue Miller, past commodore and principal race officer (PRO) for this event, and always positive that some wind will grace her race course, gathered her Race Committee, marked boats, got all RC gear on theboats and headed out to western Long Island Sound. If anyone can find wind, it is Miller.
“The wind was predicted to be four knots or less,” said Miller. “But it was doable.”
Miller and her crew managed to finish five races over the Saturday through Sunday weekend. To put some perspective to the resolve of the MBYC Race Committee to get their teams racing, check this out: another yacht club who happened to have a regatta the same weekend as MBYC Fall Series, and also in Western Long Island Sound, actually believed the weather report and canceled their regatta. The club’s esteemed Race Committee scattered to destinations near and far for long-awaited vacations. This action did not escape the spies (also called the Moosehead Committee) who wanted to reward this Race Committee for their dereliction of duty and for actually believing a weather report. The (unnamed) yacht club was recognized at the Annual Moosehead Luncheon with a nice Moosehead trophy.
For readers unfamiliar with the Moosehead Luncheon, it is a gathering of all Long Island Sound Race Committees who attend a luncheon on the first Sunday in November to socialize, have lunch and roast fellow Race Committees who “messed up big time.” The Moosehead Committee spends their time (when not racing) gathering evidence all season long, eager to “catch” a transgression worthy of a Moosehead. After attending these events over the years, yours truly must admit that this year’s treasure trove was exceptional.
Back to the MBYC Fall Series, the last day of racing on Saturday, Oct. 21, was reserved for a distance race. The forecast was again dismal, three to four knots out of the east. Racing began around 11 a.m. when the wind picked up and held. About halfway down the course, the wind pretty much died, but then came alive to bring the boats home to port. The after party and awards began in the late afternoon. The food was great, the drinks flowed and, most importantly, the sailors were happy. Commodore John Silbersack and PRO Miller handed out the awards.
Top teams in each division: PHRF 1: 1. After Midnight, Paul Jeka, 2. Avalanche, Craig Albrecht and 3. Spike, Sam Talbot. PHRF 2: 1. Deviation, Iris Vogel, 2. Frequent Flyer, Alistair Duke, 3. One Too Many, Peter Chirlian. PHRF Non-Spinnaker: 1. Eagle, Ernie Bivona, 2. Chieftain, Robert Chuda, 3. Eclipse, Damian Emery. PHRF 4: 1. Thin Man, Todd Aven, 2. Upsetter, Jason Viseltear, 3. Bimini Cricket, Jason Barron. J 105: 1. Eclipse, Damian Emery, 2. Ataraxis, Frank Latowiec, 3. LauraBea, Max Kalehoff.
Fall Series Perpetual Trophies: John B. Thomson Sr. Memorial Trophy (awarded for best overall performance in Fall Series): Eclipse, Damian Emery, Mt. Sinai Sailing Association. Ted Clark Trophy (awarded for best overall performance Fall Series PHRF Divisions): Thin Man, Todd Aven, City Island YC and Strom Trysail Club. Huguenot Trophy (awarded to club with the highest three boat team scores): City Island Yacht Club—Thin Man, 1st PHRF 4, Eagle, 1st PHRF 5, and Chieftain, 2nd PHRF 5.
Next year’s MBYC Fall Series will be their 40th. Rumor has it that the club is planning one spectacular event. Frostbiting has already started and yacht clubs are gearing up for another season of winter sailing. Stay tuned.Manhasset Bay Yacht Club’s Fall Series
By Andrea Watson
portwashington@antonmediagroup.com
The 39th edition of Manhasset Bay Yacht Club’s Fall Series was held over the weekend of Oct. 13-15 and Oct. 21. The first weekend was devoted to around the buoy racing, with the last day reserved for a long distance race.
On Friday, the first day of racing, the wind decided to take a break and stay home. There was no racing that day and the forecast for Saturday and Sunday was dire. No wind would be making an appearance on Long Island Sound. But under the leadership of Sue Miller, past commodore and principal race officer (PRO) for this event, and always positive that some wind will grace her race course, gathered her Race Committee, marked boats, got all RC gear on theboats and headed out to western Long Island Sound. If anyone can find wind, it is Miller.
“The wind was predicted to be four knots or less,” said Miller. “But it was doable.”
Miller and her crew managed to finish five races over the Saturday through Sunday weekend. To put some perspective to the resolve of the MBYC Race Committee to get their teams racing, check this out: another yacht club who happened to have a regatta the same weekend as MBYC Fall Series, and also in Western Long Island Sound, actually believed the weather report and canceled their regatta. The club’s esteemed Race Committee scattered to destinations near and far for long-awaited vacations. This action did not escape the spies (also called the Moosehead Committee) who wanted to reward this Race Committee for their dereliction of duty and for actually believing a weather report. The (unnamed) yacht club was recognized at the Annual Moosehead Luncheon with a nice Moosehead trophy.
For readers unfamiliar with the Moosehead Luncheon, it is a gathering of all Long Island Sound Race Committees who attend a luncheon on the first Sunday in November to socialize, have lunch and roast fellow Race Committees who “messed up big time.” The Moosehead Committee spends their time (when not racing) gathering evidence all season long, eager to “catch” a transgression worthy of a Moosehead. After attending these events over the years, yours truly must admit that this year’s treasure trove was exceptional.
Back to the MBYC Fall Series, the last day of racing on Saturday, Oct. 21, was reserved for a distance race. The forecast was again dismal, three to four knots out of the east. Racing began around 11 a.m. when the wind picked up and held. About halfway down the course, the wind pretty much died, but then came alive to bring the boats home to port. The after party and awards began in the late afternoon. The food was great, the drinks flowed and, most importantly, the sailors were happy. Commodore John Silbersack and PRO Miller handed out the awards.
Top teams in each division: PHRF 1: 1. After Midnight, Paul Jeka, 2. Avalanche, Craig Albrecht and 3. Spike, Sam Talbot. PHRF 2: 1. Deviation, Iris Vogel, 2. Frequent Flyer, Alistair Duke, 3. One Too Many, Peter Chirlian. PHRF Non-Spinnaker: 1. Eagle, Ernie Bivona, 2. Chieftain, Robert Chuda, 3. Eclipse, Damian Emery. PHRF 4: 1. Thin Man, Todd Aven, 2. Upsetter, Jason Viseltear, 3. Bimini Cricket, Jason Barron. J 105: 1. Eclipse, Damian Emery, 2. Ataraxis, Frank Latowiec, 3. LauraBea, Max Kalehoff.
Fall Series Perpetual Trophies: John B. Thomson Sr. Memorial Trophy (awarded for best overall performance in Fall Series): Eclipse, Damian Emery, Mt. Sinai Sailing Association. Ted Clark Trophy (awarded for best overall performance Fall Series PHRF Divisions): Thin Man, Todd Aven, City Island YC and Strom Trysail Club. Huguenot Trophy (awarded to club with the highest three boat team scores): City Island Yacht Club—Thin Man, 1st PHRF 4, Eagle, 1st PHRF 5, and Chieftain, 2nd PHRF 5.
Next year’s MBYC Fall Series will be their 40th. Rumor has it that the club is planning one spectacular event. Frostbiting has already started and yacht clubs are gearing up for another season of winter sailing. Stay tuned.