Damian Emory Wins the John B. Thomson, Sr. Memorial Trophy at the Manhasset Bay Fall Series

The 25th Manhasset Bay Fall Series took place on two consecutive weekends, Oct. 18-19, and Oct. 25-26. John B. Thomson, Jr., a successful blue water competitive sailor, and his wife Adrienne, also an excellent sailor, who are well-known in sailing circles locally and internationally, thought that a late fall distance event would develop a high level of big boat competition in our area and promote enjoyment of Long Island Sound racing under the best weather conditions of the year. The first Fall Series was held in 1979 and was organized by Roger Priem, chairman of Distance Events at MBYC, and Chip Whipple, Regatta Coordinator. Now 25 years later, the event still attracts some of the best competitors on Long Island Sound.

The Thomsons had it right about the fall being the best weather conditions of the year. As most boats are being hauled for the season, almost 100 boats competed in this year's event. And they were treated to the best sailing Long Island Sound could offer. The first day of racing did not bode well, though, as RC had to cancel the first race, but a little later a shifty, light northwest breeze filed in. The next day the same northwesterly appeared, again with shifty winds, bringing with it a lot of rain. This past weekend, Saturday dawned sunny and bright, and appeared to be a repeat of the prior Saturday's wind conditions. But fortunately for all, the wind was great, with a steady 16-22 knots, keeping sailors, RC, and spectators quite happy. Sunday was more of same great wind, this time a little stronger than the day before.

According to Steve Moore, the tactician on Lora Ann, an Express 37, skippered by Richard du Moulin, the best thing about this year's Fall Series, "the breeze was good, over 20 knots, making boats go faster and things happen quickly, and that makes it exciting." Rich and his crew, including local sailors Moore, John Browning and George Huntington, were in first place going into the last day of racing, but lost out to Butch Ulmer on Ageless by one point. When asked what happened, Moore replied, "With the steady wind on Sunday, there was not a lot of opportunity to outsmart him and it was pretty much a drag race. And they were just faster."

Other local sailors competing in the Fall Series include: R-Wave, Ira Futterman (KYC), Avalanche, Craig Albrecht (PWYC), Free Fall, William McFaul (PWYC), Promise Kept, Sandy Lindenbaum (KYC), Wallbanger, KB Robinson (NSYC), Out of Reach, Louis Nees (PWYC), Andiamo, Paul Strauch (MBYC), Lunatic Fringe, Bill Lehnert (MBYC), Element, Steven Phillipson (MBYC), and Happy Daze, Tom Egan (PWYC).

The MBYC ballroom was packed with skippers, crews, family and friends to witness the awards ceremony and cheer for the winners and give solace to those who must wait until next year to reach their goals, be it to move up on the leader board or capture first place honors. What was especially wonderful to see were all the very young children and babies at the MBYC for it made the ceremony a truly family affair. Commodore Carl Schwarz handed out the awards with the able assistance of Regatta Chair, Sue Miller. After all awards were given to their rightful owners, the group quieted down to watch a great PowerPoint presentation of the Series, complete with some "wipeouts" and wrapped spinnakers. Happy but tired sailors left MBYC, vowing to come back next year, with many commenting, "this is one of the best run regattas ever!"

Thanks are due to the people who volunteered many hours to make this event such a success: Sue Miller, Regatta Chair and PRO Red Fleet, John Barry, PRO White Fleet, Peter and Sally Lorson, who came north from Florida to be on RC, the mark boats: Greg and Beth Danilek, James Macedonio, Bob Prokop, Jeff Shane, Rick Jordan, Ted Toombs, and Jonathan Shields, Scorers Bin James and Dan Nowlar, and those who keep everyone honest, the Arbitration/Jury committee: Phil Pape, Peter Lorson, Steve Moore, Jeff Shane, Bill Ludlum, and Mary Von Conta. Thanks also to Webmaster Bob Prokop, Tom Walsh for arranging sponsorship (West Marine, Barrett Ginger Beer, Goslings Run, Port Beer & Soda) and the raffle, and John Tuscano, Pete Jamison and their staff at MBYC. Special thanks are due to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy for lending the Dottie J for RC duty and to Bill and Mary Foster, from Stamford YC, for bringing Resolute back into our bay to be the second Race Committee boat. For many years, Resolute, owned by Jean Shope and her late husband Roger, was the RC boat for the Fall Series, and it is great to see the tradition continue.

Final results of the 25th Manhasset Bay Fall Series: Red Class 1: 1. Agincourt, Paul Lowell (SCYC), 2. R-Wave, Ira Futterman (Knickerbocker YC), and 3. Columbia, US Merchant Marine Academy. Red Class 2: 1. Falcon, Mark Minkus (American YC), 2. Wanderer, Bill Cushman, and 3. Christopher Dragon, Andrew Weiss. Red Class 3: 1. Challenge IV, Jeffrey Willis (Storm Trysail Club), 2. Gold Digger, James Bishop (American YC), and 3. Charlie V, Norman Schulman. Red Class 4: 1. Ageless, K. Rothans (Larchmont YC), 2. Lora Ann, Richard du Moulin (Larchmont YC), and 3. Soulmates, Adam Loory (Huguenot/Storm Trysail Club). Red Class 5: 1. Rascal, Wim Jessup (Noroton YC), 2. Deviation, Iris Vogel (Huguenot YC), and 3. Anni "O", George Schimenti (Indian Harbor YC). White Class 1: 1. Hustler, John Esposito (City Island YC), 2. Wallbanger, KB Robinson (North Shore YC), and 3. Wild Thing, Richard Rubel (Lloyd Harbor YC). White Class 2: 1. Eclipse, Damian Emery (Mt. Sinai Sailing Association, 2. Kincsem, Esdorn (first name unavailable), and 3. Douglas McKeige (American YC). White Class 3. Chaika, Judson/Coar (City Island YC), 2. Amethyst, Douglas Davies, and 3. Jonrob, John Storck (Storm Trysail Club). White Class 4: 1. Dreadlocks, J. Hammer (Lloyd Harbor YC), 2. Wanderlust, Roger Scanlon, and 3. Lunatic Fringe, Bill Lehnert (Manhasset Bay YC). White Class 5: 1. Happy Wanderer, Bruce Byers (Centerport YC), 2. Happy Daze, Tom Egan (Port Washington YC), and 3. Blue Bayou, Alan Orr. Damian Emery, and crewmembers Bob Broderick, Jim McCarrick and Kevin Kelly won the John B. Thomson Sr. Memorial Trophy for best overall performance in the Fall Series IOR, IMS or one-design divisions. They join past winners: 2002 - Hilaria David Florencea and the late Joe Schultz-Heik (Larchmont YC), 2001- Challenge IV, Jeffrey Willis (Lloyd Harbor YC), and 2000 - Blue Yankee, Robert Towse/Steve Benjamin (Storm Trysail Club). John B. Thomson, Jr. was on hand to present the trophy, which he donated to the Fall Series 25 years ago in memory of his father. Accompanying him to the ceremony were his son John, his wife Jennifer and their young daughter Caroline. John Esposito, on Hustler (City Island YC) won the Ted Clark Trophy for the best overall performance in the PHRF division. Ted Clark was a member of Manhasset Bay YC from 1928-66 and was an active frostbiter and sailed in many distance races.