Manhasset Bay was on its best behavior to greet the 177 juniors who came from all over western Long Island Sound to compete in Club 420, Laser and Laser Radial Championships that were held at Manhasset Bay Yacht Club on August 6-7. After what seems like a summer of interminable rain, Wednesday morning dawned without a cloud in the sky and bright sunshine. Better yet, there was an 8-12 knot southerly that prompted one observer to comment, "This is one of the best sailing days so far this season!" Race Committee took advantage of their good fortune, and ran two races for the Laser Radials and the 420s, and one race for the Laser Radials, before darkening skies and the threat of a squall brought everyone quickly back to land. The juniors were not so lucky on Thursday, as there was little to no wind in the morning, so the fleet ended up playing the "waiting game" that is so familiar to sailors. After an early lunch, the competitors were back out circling the RC, in anticipation of some wind filling in. Two more races for the Lasers and 420s and three races for the Laser Radials were completed in light, puffy air, with RC starting the final race at 4:45 p.m., just making the time limit for commencing a start sequence. A total of four races were completed for the three divisions over the two-day regatta. The top three finishers in each class: Laser Class (19 boats): 1. Matt Himler (Northport Bay Sailing Association), 2. Jon Garrity (Noroton YC), and 3. Harry Wheyer (Cedar Point YC). The Laser Radial Class winners (50 boats): 1. Ian Murphy (Shelter Island YC), 2. Terence McAndrews (Larchmont YC) and 3. Will Vernon (Noroton YC). Top teams in the 420 Class (41 boats): 1. Becca Dellenbaugh (Pequot YC), 2. Lindsay McBride (Riverside YC), and 3. Nick Holton (Larchmont YC). Stephanie Kronenberg, (Beach Point YC) won the Sportsmanship Award. Perpetual trophies: Matt Himler won the Edgar L. Raymond Trophy for the JSA Laser Championship, Ian Murphy won the Joseph E. Cosulich Trophy for the JSA Laser Radial Championship and Becca Dellenbaugh captured the Pequot Cup for the JSA Club 420 Championship. Other local sailors who competed in the Championships: Tommy Matesich and Joseph Carucci in the Laser Class, Vaughn Read, James O'Hanlon, Carrie Read and Marissa Diaz in the Laser Radials, and Mark Cornachio in the 420s. All were from Manhasset Bay YC. This event was open to all juniors who qualified for the JSA Championship in their class by finishing in the top 40 percent in a qualifying regatta, such as the Eastern or Western Districts, Larchmont Race Week or the 420, Laser and Laser Radials Race Week at Cedar Point YC. Thanks to Sue Miller, regatta chairperson, Maryanne Diaz, event chairperson and John Barry, principal race officer and the many helping hands that made this regatta safe, and a lot of fun.

Another JSA-sponsored event took place locally. Port Washington YC hosted Blue Jay Race Week on July 28-29, with 138 sailors descending on the club bringing 58 Blue Jays with them. There were four divisions, including one Novice division. Though the weather was predicted to have 5-10 knot breezes, the wind stayed light but the Race Committee was able to get off three races on the first day of sailing. By the end of the day, the juniors were ready for the pool party that awaited them on shore. The next day brought much of the same type of weather, but the breeze was even lighter than the day before. Race Committee had its work cut out for them, but did get in two races, giving the sailors a total of five for the two-day event. Results for local skippers and crew only: Black Fleet: 2. Paige Wassmer and Caitlin Fitzpatrick (Port Washington YC). White Fleet: 1. Will McIntosh, Jessica Nees, Christian Jordan (Port Washington YC), 2. Christine Jakob, Ethan Mitzner and Anna Fagin (Sea Cliff YC) 3. Matt Wefer, Paul Wefer and Max Cotton (Sea Cliff YC), 6. Arthur Frooks and Lindsay Schmidt (Port Washington YC), 9. Kris Ledins, Joseph Duarte, Nicholas Faccibenf (Knickerbocker YC), 11. Wilkie Jordan, Peter Aitken and Doug Horowitz (Manhasset Bay YC), 15. Beryl Bevilacque, Alex Ferro and Nick Pietrantonio (Port Washington YC), 17. Tyler Adams and John Maisano (Manhasset Bay YC) and 19. Lianna Gordon and Christina Ferro (Port Washington YC). Special thanks are extended to Joan MacInnes who was the Regatta Chairperson for Blue Jay Race Week (she is also on the Board of Directors of the Junior Sailing Association) and Duncan MacInnes, the Principal Race Officer for the regatta, and the many club members who helped with pre-event organization and during the actual regatta.

The Junior Sailing Association of Long Island Sound was founded in 1924 and is an independent, nonprofit corporation. The JSA supports junior sailors at member programs and encourages them to experience the joy of sailing and learning about and appreciating the complexities of the marine environment. The JSA promotes ethical behavior among its sailors and encourages the teaching of lifelong lessons, which seek to build character, foster teamwork and strengthen respect for self and others. Joan MacInnes (PWYC) and Stephanie Baas (MBYC) are on the JSA Board of Directors, which also serves as the Junior Sailing Committee of the Yacht Racing Association of Long Island Sound (YRALIS). The JSA is a member of US SAILING. For more information, see www.jsalis.org.

On Aug. 7, 14 boats were on the starting line for the Thirsty Thursday group. Top boats: Division I, Course BZBZ, 3.3 nm (3 boats): 1. Avalanche, Al Albrecht, 2. Promise Kept, Sandy Lindenbaum, and 3. Grace, Gene Gold. Division II results, Course BZ, 1.65 nm (7 boats): 1. Xcite, Yalcin Tarhan, 2. Vision, Marc Epstein, and 3. Nemesis, Bruce Logan. Results for Division III, Course BX, 1.65 nm (4 boats, but 2 were DSQ): 1. Serenity, Jacque Blinbaum, and 2. Second Wind, Anthony Viola.

Save the date! On Sept. 8 from 7 to 9 p.m., The Nautical Center of the Port Washington Public Library will host a reception to celebrate the opening of an exhibition called Our Bay in History, which pays tribute to the history of Manhasset Bay. Planned to be an annual event, the inaugural exhibit will honor three very important events: The Star Class of Manhasset Bay, where the international Star Class originated; Flying Boats, from early Pan American Clipper flights to Gold Cup speedboat racing; and The Purdy Boat Company, its history and famous boats. Stayed tuned for more information as it becomes available.

Next week: Manhasset Bay Race Week results.