What a week! You might think that I would be reporting on the challenging week of weather but upon reflection, the rainy, foggy mess is now just a blip on the radar. Between the first annual Cornhole Tournament, the USNA midshipmen visit, Seguin Island Trophy Race and the Newagen Lobster Bake, we had a week of great memories that will last through the cold winter months. 

Twenty-seven Midshipmen and their coaches from the US Naval Academy arrived in Maine on Wednesday on two high tech racing boats: WAHOO (Ker50) and ZARAFFA (RP66). On Thursday, select sailing program students sailed on these vessels. I watched as the group came up the dock with big smiles and an air of excitement. Our SYC sailors got to help sail, talk with the midshipmen, and tour below decks. Most interesting was the navigation station, the sheer amount of bunks, and the understanding of how only half the crew sleeps in the bunks while the other half sails through the night. On Friday the midshipmen crewed for our 420 sailors and also sailed in turnabouts. My son particularly loved having a midshipman in his boat and spending the windy afternoon with such an interesting crew member. 

Fleet resurgence? What is that? Just ask the Rhodes 19 Class Association who found it newsworthy that SYC’s Fleet 33 from the 70s is back in action. There is a new series this summer with Friday night Rhodes 19 races. This week four boats raced up the Pratts Island shore in 45 to 75 degree shifts and very light breeze. The evening was won by Dane Phippen sailing with Graydon Smith, Nate Phippen, Rachel Phippen, and Hadden Brinegar. The victory was very sweet, but what was so impressive to all on the water was the fact that 9-year-old Hadden recruited Dane and the others to race her father’s boat while he was in Texas. In second place were Charlie and Oliver Phippen (parents of Dane, Nate and Rachel) followed by Chip Baker in third and Laura and Jason Harrington in fourth. Please join the fleet this Friday night, July 23 for another night of fun. We are elated to have Pete Smith -- former SYC sailor, instructor, and sailing program director -- following in his parents’ footsteps by giving back to the club. As Rear Commodore Pete is responsible for coordinating racing this summer and he brings new energy and organizational skills along with his love of sailing for all ages! 

Saturday’s Seguin Island Trophy Race was held in what appeared to be a complete vacuum on the Sheepscot. Over 20 boats split into three divisions sailed and drifted across the Sheepscot River. The conditions were very tough with light, spotty air. That said, there was great participation and after a long day on the water, folks were still smiling and sharing stories of rounding the mark with Seguin Island in view. We loved seeing the younger generation of sailors on the water, from both Southport and Boothbay Harbor. Specifically, in the J80 class where the SYC team of Shannon Killian, Nate Rideout, Bryce Jacobs, Betsy Gray, and Charlie Apolinsky sailed on the new club boat SELKIE.  The youth team from BHYC consisting of Arden Carelton, Toby Clarkson, Piper Carelton and Otto Schoenthal sailed GHO2T and won in Division 2. It’s fantastic that there is such energy in the younger generation of sailors on the peninsula. A special thank you to those adults like Ken Colburn who provide boats for students, the various staffs from both clubs, and the parents of sailors who provide the rides and support on a weekend. Kudos to all of you.

Shannon Killian’s brilliant idea was a roaring success with SYC’s first annual Cornhole Tournament on Thursday! At least one participant answered the question, “Should we have this event again next year?” with a resounding, “Yes! Let’s do this every week!” We had a great turnout from our younger members and some of their parents. Winning cousins Bryce Jacobs and Charlie Apolinsky had some tough competition with the second place team of Brian Goldsmith and Peter Bauman, along with Tia Freund and Abby Thress. The Best Costume Award goes to Tia and Abby who wore tiaras and the Team Effort Award goes to former instructors and brothers Andrew and David Turley, who traveled from Five Islands through some serious fog. 

Newagen Seaside Inn presented an evening to remember with the SYC Lobster Bake on Sunday. Janet Duchaine, Social Chair, couldn’t have been more impressed with the event team’s flexibility as we had to move the dinner inside for the over 100 in attendance. The lobster, chicken, salad, corn, potatoes and blueberry cake were delicious and the service was outstanding in the Cape Harbor Room. The USNA midshipmen joined the affair and it was great to see large families enjoying the lobster bake together like the Coppola, Grimes, and Hurd families.

This weekend we have a Wine Tasting on Saturday at 5:30 and an English Croquet Tournament on Sunday at 5:30. Paper sign ups for these are at the club. Group sizes are limited for both events. Please get your RSVPs in early. Looking forward to seeing you there!