Our sailboat is out of the water for the winter, and we have another sailing season and some wonderful memories of this past summer behind us. Some of our most exciting sails took place during the Wednesday Night Sailboat Racing Series in Oyster Bay.

Although the racing series is officially over for scoring, the racing will continue through the end of October. Comanche, the boat Bob crews on captained by Darrin Martin, came in third place in the Jib & Main Division. The captain and crew were pleased, considering it was a new boat for the crew, and they had a rough start in the beginning of the season. Moxie, captained by Frank Gentile, the boat Shelley-Sue crews on, came in second place in the same division. It was a close contest to the end for second place between Comanche and Moxie. Throughout the entire season, the crew of the two boats were very aware of the position of the other on the racecourse.

During many of the races a major concern on Moxie was, "Where is Shelley-Sue's husband?" The other concern was, "Where's Luff Story?"

Jack Bernstein, Captain of Luff Story, ran away with first place in the Jib & Main Division, along with a shoe-in for Sagamore Yacht Club's upcoming "Sailor of the Year" award. On Oct. 5 Sagamore Yacht Club had one of its biggest races of the year, The Commodore's Cup. The captain of Luff Story was out of town for the big race, but his competent crew won the cup in their division for their captain. Over the long, cold winter the crew and captains of each of these boats will be discussing strategies and tactics for next year's tough fight for first place in this division.

Greg Bradley, captain of Waterfront, won the Cruiser's Division, with Hildene not far behind in second place. Maverick came in first place, beating Blue Bayou by a hair, in the Spinnaker Division. The Wednesday Night Sailboat Races are open to anyone who wants to race, either on their own boat or as a crewmember on another. This season, we had well over 20 boats racing every Wednesday evening, and a good time back at Sagamore Yacht Club's bar for the post race discussions. Next May, plan to join your friends and neighbors from the Oyster Bay area, for a great night on the water.

Shelley-Sue and Bob Williams can be reached at swpny@aol.com