It didn't rain on Saturday but a cold wind out of the ESE was really kicking up the Navesink which made for some exciting racing.  By the end of the morning, we had two flipped boats, one man overboard (with a quick recovery), one man climbing up a mast (see the video from race one), a couple of ‘bumps’ and a lot of spray over the bow of the little Carolina resulting in less than clear video. 

Many thanks to Peter Smith (along with wife Ilene) for doing his best to maneuver the moody Carolina through the chop while I tried to get video.  We would have liked to get up more close to the action but either we couldn’t get up to speed or we’d stall out for no apparent reason.  Fortunately we were able to get some good shots although I had to constantly wipe off the lens.

Lunch was a welcomed break.  And a chance to dry off and get warm.  PRO Denis Farley decided to move the course down the Navesink off of Fair Haven for the afternoon.  The wind was even stronger down there and was blowing between 10 and 25 at any given time (at least that’s what it seemed to me).  We got in two more races without incident.

That evening, we enjoyed a cocktail hour (keep that shrimp coming) and a delicious hot buffet.  It was great to meet some more of our out of town sailors and thanks so much for all your kind words on the videos.  Sunday brought some rain in the morning and I decided to not go out – I pushed the limits on how much moisture a camcorder can take on Saturday.  The wind calmed down to light and fluky but they got off two races.  Congrats to winner Mitch Hnatt, second place Brian Toboda and third place Bill Fastiggi.  I hope everyone had a great time and will be back next year.

On a personal note, this was a special Long John for me for it was the first regatta that my two kids sailed together in.  Fourteen year old Brooke who normally is 420 crew and had only crewed on a lightning once before, was joined by sixteen year old laser sailor Catherine Baricevich who is a novice to the class as well.  Even though they were a little too light and the girls a bit too inexperienced with the lightning in this kind of weather, skipper Paul and the girls gave it a shot but decided to retire during the second race.  Fortunately, Paul caught a ride on another boat for the afternoon races.  The girls will have ample opportunity to get better with MBC’s Monday night lightning clinic this summer for our younger sailors.

Thanks again to Peter and Ilene Smith for taking me out and to Denis Farley for making sure I got on a chase boat.  Hopefully, we’ll see many of you again at Districts in June.

Doreen