Just a quick recap of this weekend's NY Downstate Regional held in the Great South Bay, Long Island, NY and hosted by Wet Pants Sailing Association.
The weather reports hinted at NE-East Winds to gust up to 30mph, but the actual weather was a manageable 12-20 mph in shifty and choppy conditions. Starting at 11am on Saturday, September 24th, 40 boats lined up and started a long day of racing. Brian McGinnis, Wet Pants Sailing Association Member and fresh off his victory at the Mid Atlantic Regional in Virginia led all 40 sailors around the first part of the course. He eventually was ground down by 1992 World Champion, Paul-Jon Patin. Later on in the race they both were caught by the current North American Champion and 8-time World Champion, Eduardo Cordero, who now makes his home at Wet Pants Sailing Association.
Racing continued to be tight as the winds steadily increased and shifted to the east. Steven Smeulders, the 1991 Sunfish World Champion, who flew in from Rochester and used a borrowed boat, had two thirds on the first day. Derek Jackson of SANJL/Mountain Lakes SA, Erich Hesse two-time NY Maritime MVP and Wet Pants Sailing Association Member, Todd Pearce of Metedeconk YC, Peter Stratton of Mountain Lakes YC and Mark May of Shattenuc YC were all bunched up at the top.
Racing continued all afternoon being heavily contested all through the competitive fleet. Even the juniors and lighter people braved the white caps and steep two foot chop. Bill McGinnis of Coles River Massachusettes, sailing well, ended up breaking a mast. He never quit, but got towed in and borrowed another from a club member. Bill's best finish was a five. After racing, all the sailors enjoyed a gourmet meal of London Broil, Broiled Rosemary Potatoes and bottled beer, wine and soft drinks. After five long and grueling races it was time to call it a day.
Sunday, three races were run in light 9-15 mph winds with plenty of chop. “World's Longest Sunfish Race” Champion, Bart Hale, took advantage of the lighter conditions and scored a seven and a fourth. This made him the most improved sailor over the weekend. David Davies, 1964 North American Champion, and converted big boat sailor David Neilsen of Bolton Lake SC, CT, also finished the weekend strong, moving up a few places. Junior Joe Strumolo of SANJL, in his haste to get to the regatta, forgot most of his sailing gear. However, Joe sailed well and was edged out by fellow Junior, Bobby Boger of Southold YC. Katie Koehler, representing the South Bay Sailing Center and Dinghy Shop, over came a leg infection and won the Women's Division. With the excellent depth of the fleet, still no one could match the overall performance of Eduardo Cordero. He crossed the finish line first in each of the eight races. However, he had to retire after the fifth race where he did not round an offset mark. Congratulations, Eduardo! And good luck to you and Paul-Jon in the Champion of Champions Regatta this week!
Overall, Jim Ryan- Race Committee Chair and his crew of volunteers did an excellent job of running off eight races and feeding the whole fleet of tired and hungry sailors.
Some of the results: (Including Throwout)
- 1st Place - Eduardo Cordero - 7 points
- 2nd Place - Paul-Jon Patin - 15 points
- 3rd Place - Derek Jackson - 24 points
- 4th Place - Stephen Smeulders - 30 points
- 5th Place - Brian McGinnis - 31 points
- 6. Erich Hesse - 44 points
- 7. Mark May - 48 points
- 8. Lee Montes - 71 points
- 9. Bart Hale - 79 points
- 10. David Neilsen - 80 points
- First Master- Mark May
- First Female- Katie Koehler
- First Junior- Bobby Boger
- First Double-Handed - Angela Smith - Mattituck YC
Regatta report courtesy of Lee Montes
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