GREENSBORO – The first Sunfish regatta in many years drew 25 boats for a five race series over two days last weekend. The Greensboro Association sponsored the Northeast Kingdom Sunfish Regatta, bringing a competitive multi-day series of races back to Caspian Lake for the first time since the now defunct Greensboro Yacht Club held them, likely as late as 1984, under its last Commodore Andy Dales.
photo by Carolyn King
Paul Brierre recalls, “I don’t remember any regattas, or much Sunfish racing, from then [1986] on. I think interest in Sunfish racing was declining at that time, partly because Windsurfers had become popular.”
The regatta was conceived by long-time Caspian Lake sailors John Jacobs, Paul Brier, Paul Landon, Peter Osterhout and others who have returned regular Wednesday and Saturday races to the lake over the last several years.
Entrants had the opportunity to join a virtual skippers meeting Friday evening, or attend one at the Caspian Lake beach Saturday at 9 a.m., where slightly more than a handful of eager sailors, cups of coffee in hand, mused over the nonexistent wind and a forecast for it to remain light at best..
The first race was rescheduled from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., which still brought light wind and 22 boats to the starting line. John Stone III and Burr Gray served as the race committee, getting the day’s only race off to a fine start. Mark Daudon led the field into the finish, followed by Scott Slater, Marc Brierre, Paul Brierre and Finn Osterhout.
photo by John Jacobs
Sunday brought better wind, allowing the race committee to put on four races. Three of the four races were won by mere feet, with one by just inches. Finishes were close regardless of wind speed, which was moderate in the morning and heavy in the afternoon, highlighting the level of competition on Caspian Lake.
Eleven skippers returned for Sunday’s races and were joined by another two, for a field of 13 starting the regatta’s second race. Marc Brierre finished first, closely followed by Paul Briere, Slater, Daudon and Jacobs.
In race three, Daudon repeated his race one performance, taking first by just inches over Paul Brierre in a photo finish. Slater, Jacobs and Bart Newhouse led the rest of the 12 boat fleet before the lunch break.
photo by Burr Gray
With four races required to score in the regatta, and the wind increasing, just 11 boats started the fourth race. Paul Brierre bested his previous efforts, crossing the finish line ahead of Daudon, Jacobs, Doug McDonald and Slater.
As the wind continued to pick up and rain threatened, just seven boats finished the fifth and final race, with Daudon leading for his third win; Brierre following in second, for his third time; McDonald continuing to better his previous efforts; Slater in fourth and Marc Brierre in fifth.
When all was said and done, Daudon took the regatta win, Paul Brierre landed in second with the two of them well ahead of Slater in third. All three received engraved cocktail glasses for their efforts and a commemorative shirt that went to each registered racer.
photo by Burr Gray
Marc Brierre finished the regatta in fourth and Jacobs in fifth. McDonald, Rusty Newhouse and Bart Newhouse filled out the eight skippers who met the four race minimum to be scored.
Among the 17 skippers who completed less than four racers, Finn Osterhaut was the only one to place in the top five of any race. Other racers were Blake Auchincloss, with a 6th place finish in race 2; Chris Phillips, finishing 7th in race 4; Patrick Hewes, 7th in race 1; Paul Landon 8th in race 1; the King family, 9th in race 1 and Chace Newhouse, 9th in race 3. Other competitors were Peter Osterhout, a racer identified only as Liam, Mimi Carter, Cam Dales, Andrew Johnston, Brittany Peats, Annie and Jenny Paumgarten, a racer identified on the score sheet only as Regatta Cheese and another identified as Two People.
The Caspian Lake Sailing August Race Series finishes this week, Wednesdays and Saturday, with starts at 2 p.m. off Aspenhurst Point, just north of the sunken island. All ages, skill levels and classes of boats are welcome. For up-to-date announcements relating to weather and race schedule follow the Caspian summer sailing series on Instagram, or call (617) 504 9203.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
