More happy Thistlers at the crab fest at SSA.
The Severn Sailing Association Thistle Fleet’s annual Labor Day weekend tradition has involved sailing and eating crabs for well over thirty years. Long-time fleet member Don Moore initiated the event which became known by Don’s first name and was a popular end-of-summer event for the fleet as well as visiting Thistlers. Due to sensitivities involving a medical condition, the association with Don’s name was removed from the regatta several years ago, and the event was renamed the Crab regatta. However, last year, we rededicated the event, the evolving name of which is now the Moore Crabs Regatta. This year, with the skyrocketing price of crabs, Don generously underwrote the cost of the crabs for the event, which he reservedly admitted he felt compelled to do since the event was named in his honor. Our hats off to Don for his generosity.
This year, 13 boats, including 4 visitors from New Castle and Williamsburg, competed in the event. The late August breeze was 8-12 kts. out of the southwest on Saturday and 12-15 out of the south on Sunday, which was enough to counter the powerboat chop, but just barely. SSA non-resident member Brent Barbehenn, sailing with Thistle skippers Jesse Gaylord and Charlie Yingling took line honors, often by a considerable margin, in every race to win the event. Charlie Krafft with wife Cairn and forward Donna McKenzie took second. John Gilmour, sailing with SSA member Bob Daniel and Bob’s son, sailed a strong series, taking second in the first race, but suffering a spinnaker tear during race two which kept the spinnaker in the turtle for race three, but sailed to a third overall. Scott Buehler visiting from New Castle took two seconds on Sunday in the stronger breeze, but it wasn’t enough to move above 5th, behind SSA’s Rosemary Foltis in 4th.
The highlight of the event was the exceptional crab dinner on the upper deck of the SSA clubhouse. 41 diners were treated to two bushels of crabs, a tall stack of pizzas, salad, corn, and a delicious blueberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream prepared by the SSA concessionaire Real Foods.
