© Rick Bannerot, Ontheflyphoto.net
Well April was busy, just like we said it would be. CT Spring Boat Show was a blast despite a typical spring mix of sun, rain, breeze on and decent 60s temps. The Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show had much of the same. But with that all out of the way, it’s time to get serious about the prep-and-go time of year!
This is a Marion Bermuda Race year as well as Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race Week for you big boat sailors, but there are a host of events happening between now and June. Larchmont Yacht Club’s 70th Edlu takes place on western Long Island Sound on May 10, followed by the 73rd Wetherill, Essex Yacht Club’s 140-mile race, on the 16th, the 78th Block Island Race on the 23rd, and the 3rd Annual Rhody Regatta, hosted by the International Yacht and Athletic Club in support of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank on the 31st…all in May. Busy, busy!
While much of the content in this issue is generated by champion one-design sailors, if you are going around our local coastal tracks in handicap races, you can still really use the advice provided by the likes of David Dellenbaugh or Coop’s feature story about offshore singlehanded and aspiring pro sailors. To steal our table of contents intro copy: A breakfast meeting with Rhode Island solo offshore racer Erica Lush, facilitated by Coach Coop in a recent Kaper, led to an invitation for 18-year-old Aurora Meunier Mott to visit France and help Erica prepare for the Solitaire du Figaro. From boat work to a delivery and unexpected opportunities, Rory was inspired to set lofty goals for herself…possibly including the Mini 6.50 she’s fixing up in her yard.
Sharing their unforgettable experiences at the Tropheé Virginie Hériot are the Sound Sisters, (Lily Flack, Ellie Menezes, Ella Bergendahl and Sydney Clays), a team comprising former NESS and MudRatz sailors that posted a high finish in that all-women’s J/70 regatta, which was hosted by the Yacht Club de Monaco in March.
The knowledge and connections in WindCheck Country are really fun and useful. Gobble them up, along with the history of the Barr brothers and interviews with current legends Betsy Alison and Chuck Allen. This issue is a great way to kick off the season. Enjoy!
Publisher
Benjamin V. Cesare
ben@windcheckmagazine.com
