OPCYC Commodore Curtis Morris (left) and the "wet" skipper, Mike Hollsten, celebrating winning the Tri-Service Regatta Cup.
Racing Rule – The boat needs to cross the finish line with the same number of crew that started the race.
The Tri-Service Regatta is an annual tradition of more than 40 years that has been raced by the three yacht clubs affiliated with military service in Hampton Roads: Langley YC (LYC) representing the Air Force, Old Point Comfort YC (OPCYC) racing for the Army, and Norfolk Naval Sailing Association (NNSA) on deck for the Navy.
This race is unique in that sailing members of the 3 clubs - racers and cruisers alike - are encouraged to come out and compete on behalf of their clubs even if this is the only race they participate in this year. The purpose is to get members of the 3 clubs together for a day of friendly competition on the water, and good post-race camaraderie later on.
Andrea Berndt at the Helm of Free Spirit after rounding the first mark in the Tri-service Regatta.
What was appearing to be a typical August day on the water – light winds, then no winds, and finally some late breezes – turned into an adventure for one skipper. During the more than one hour of no breeze at all and being totally becalmed, said skipper, who was single-handing his 36-foot sailboat, had to fend off a boat that was drifting toward him.
Whoops - he lost his footing and fell overboard, leaving his vessel unmanned!
The good news is that because there was no wind, the boat stayed near and the skipper was able to re-board and continue the race with only his pride injured.
Even better, the wet skipper did finish the race and thus added points to the score for the winning club, OPCYC. NNSA placed second, with LYC coming in third. Overall class winners were: Non-Spin – John Haracevit’s Midnight Rider ; Cruising 1 – James Campbell’s Jeneral’s Lady; Cruising 2 – Jim Beaudry’s Black Dog; Cruising 3 – Richard Basye’s Miss B Haven. At the poolside post-race party hosted by LYC, competitors swapped sea stories and all vowed to do their best to stay on board their boats next year!
