Cruising to Gibson Island
The annual West River Sailing Club to Gibson Island happened late August this year, instead of the customary September date. However, this summer’s weather provided a much cooler weekend that feared. On Saturday six cruisers arrived at Gibson Island Yacht Squadron to join the two boats that had arrived the day before. Although the weather was overcast and a little drizzly, good times, laughter, and fellowship ensued. By four that afternoon, all boats had docked and cruisers were ready to have a good time.
What is it about cruisers getting together after a few hours of slogging through the water to meet at a lovely venue like Gibson Island? For some, it’s the thought of being surrounded by a pretty environment such as the Gibson Island Club and dressing a little nicer for dinner. For some, it’s using the great facilities and experiencing the super hospitality of Dockmaster Denver Sanner. And for others, it’s just the fun of sailing up (or down) the bay and spending the night in the luxury of your own vessel. (Think about it. You’re not at home, yet you’re not at a hotel either. You’re in your home away from home…on the water! What could be better?)
A yummy dinner of shrimp, steak, and green salad with nuts and berries was enjoyed by everyone. Service at the Gibson Island Club is always impeccable, as is the food!
The next morning was quite a contrast to the day before: bright and sunny! Everyone contributed to the traditional brunch there at the GYIS club veranda. Pat and Joe Casey invited all to witness the renaming of their new boat, Otter. Then there were ice water challenge shenanigans, which I’m sure everyone enjoyed – except perhaps the three recipients.
On the Race Course
If one defines a successful regatta as everyone having fun and no one getting hurt, then we had a fabulously successful Annual Regatta.
Nineteen boats participated in the 75th Annual Annapolis to Galesville Race. Like last year, it was a challenging race; however, for very different reasons. The breeze all but died once the boats reached Tolly Point and didn’t pick up until most of the boats had passed Thomas Point. Once the breeze filled in, it made for an exciting finish. The time between the first and second boats was 21 seconds – in a race that lasted 4½-hours.
Saturday and Sunday we had a much nicer breeze of 10-knots out of the south. 39 boats of six classes participated in eight races over the two days. Frank Gibson and his stalwart crew of Race Committee worked very hard to run one race after another; the start sequence of the next race usually followed the previous one by five-minutes. Several racers commented on the well-run races and the spectacular conditions
Dinner Saturday was a success and Sunday there was a large crowd at the Bar who didn’t want to leave after the awards were presented. So speaking of awards:
75th Annapolis to Galesville Race
- 1st overall and 1st place in the combined Catamaran Class: Sam & Jessica with Nacra 20-F18 Sail #399.
- 1st place Chesapeake 20: Clay Taylor in The Endeavor
- 1st place Albacore: Jim Graham in Sail 8021
- 1st place Flying Scot: Steve Low in Sail #4421
85th Annual Billy Heintz Regatta
- 1st place A-Class Catamaran (and winner of the Billy Heintz Trophy): Christopher Brown in Sail #193
- 2nd place A-Class Catamaran: Tracy Oliver in Sail #135
- 3rd place A-Class Catamaran: Mark Bellerman in Sail #134
- 1st place Albacore: Barney Harris in Happy Couple (Sail #8200)
- 2nd place Albacore: Sterling Spruill in Sail #8191
- 3rd place Albacore: Mary Minot in Sail #7971
- 1st place Chesapeake 20: Clayton Taylor in The Endeavor
- 2nd place Chesapeake 20: Robin Hartge in Spirit
- 1st place Flying Scot: Reed Wickner in Sail #5474
- 2nd place Flying Scot: John Gauvin in Blowin’ in the Wind (Sail # 5686)
- 1st place Formula 16 Catamaran: Ed Mills in Sail #212
- 1st place Nacra 20-F18: John Peil in SS Marion Barry (Sail #11)
Many thanks to Frank Gibson as PRO and Alice and Peter Mignery, who ran the Cove Course) for their excellent management of the races. And thanks to the many folks (you know who you are) who helped make this regatta such a success. ~Cheers, John C. von Senden, Vice Commodore
