A report has been received about Jack Benfield, the oldest of the three sons of John and Maureen Benfield, a sailing family of our bay.

He is currently a Midshipman 1st class at the Naval Academy (Annapolis) and a Platoon Commander in the 14th Company. This fall will begin his fourth year on the USNA varsity offshore sailing team. All of his racing this season was done in a McCurdy/Rhodes "Navy 44." He returned home on July 18 from Edgartown Race Week where he worked foredeck for Navy Coach Brad Dellenbaugh who placed third. Taking a first place as a Navy skipper in the Marion to Bermuda Race was clearly the high point of Jack's season. Other details follow.

Naval Academy Sailing Squadron Spring Race: The Knickerbocker Y.C. Award (yes) for best finishing position went to Jack's helmsman. The Avanti Trophy went to Jack.

Marion to Bermuda Race: 1st in Class A (top boat using celestial navigation); Navigator's Trophy to Jack's navigator. Skipper Jack was awarded The Ocean Spray Team Trophy for best team performance in Marion-Bermuda Race.

* Thursday evening (July 22) was a delightful one for entertaining afloat.

Even though the breeze was very light, the gracefulness of the Thirsty Thursday Fleet was displayed. Number of starters and top boats:

Div. III (5): 1 - Sundance, 2 - Serenity.

Div. 11 (9): 1 - Quicker, 2 - Chapparal, 3 - Tootsie.

Div. I (6): 1 - Donna J, 2 - Avalanche, 3 - Xcite.

* On July 15, Eric Goetz who had grown up in our area and is now a prominent yacht builder in Briston, RI, was called to attention in "On The Bay." On July 29, Bruce Nelson of San Diego, CA, also from here, is called to attention because of his prominence as a yacht designer. Two boats being built for Paul Cayard's America's Cup 1999-2000 event were designed by him.

* About the Admiral's Cup (Cowes, England) nine competitors; 1 Netherlands, 2 Europe, 3 Britain, 4 United States.

* Marc Epstein's Vision won the annual single-handed race at North Shore YC July 25. There were three entries but only one finished. It is the second straight year Epstein won the Jack E. Epstein Memorial Trophy he established in memory of his father in 1994.

* Bay Racing - 7/24: Sonars (5) 1-Bob Kirtland, 2-Helman/King. MBGB's (10) 1-Allen/Heinzerling, 2-Champlin/Adams, 3-Dahl/Mapes.

7/25: Sonars (10 1-Jordan/Miller, 2-Brandvold, 3-Bob Kirtland. MBO's (9) 1-Allen/Heinzerling, 2-Baker/Moore, 3-Chas. Allen.

Knickerbocker Cup 1999 - Return to Manhasset Bay, Aug. 27 through 29. Manhasset Bay Challenge Cup - Aug. 28 and 29.