Austen Schaefer and Jason Raymond (left to right), CPYC 420 sailors were awarded the Sportsmanship Award at the 2010 US Sailing National Double-Handed Championship for the Bemis Trophy recently in California.    Long-time participants in the CPYC Jr Program, Schaefer and Raymond were 9th out of 20 teams in the event. Click here to read Austen's summary of the regatta.   It is wonderful to see this pair honored for their sportsmanship at a major national event. 

Austen Schaefer  provided the following synopsis of the the event...

We came 9th at the finals out of 20 boats. The competition was very intense, especially among the top ten boats which were all about even in boatspeed. This meant that much of the racing came down to tactics rather than simple maneuvers. I did notice, however, that the competitiveness and skill of certain teams had a correlation to where they were from geographically - sailors from areas where sailing is prevalent were much faster than sailors from areas that weren't. Thus, several teams were definitely below the level of local JSA sailors in our area who did not qualify at the Area B's. As a whole though, the regatta was a lot of fun and had great competition. I would recommend that local sailors start setting their sights on larger regattas in addition to local JSA events. This might include Buzzards Bay, Hyannis, Orange Bowl, and the Brooke Gonzalez clinic in Newport. These events are a great way to meet sailors from around the country. Exposure to such a variety of teams is the best and fastest way to improve racing skills. Off the water, the regatta provided plenty of opportunity to socialize and make new friends. Each night we had dinner at a different yacht club and often some sort of presentation to enjoy. I made a lot of new friends and the entire event was a great experience.

 CPYC Hosts Successful Opti Green Fleet Regatta Thursday, August 12 for 56 first year Opti sailors invited from Pequot, Black Rock, Noroton, Norwalk and CPYC, almost all of whom were sailing in their 1st, 2nd or 3rd regatta ever.  New CPYC member, John Wilcox served as Regatta Chair, while Ann and George Wilbanks served as co-PROs for the 3rd year.  Ann Marie Breschard and Carrie WIlcox ran shore-side  at beginning and end of day.  John Foster , John Wilcox and Doug Metchick did a great job as RC mark boats and Tom and Cindy Little had an athletic day as the event Safety Boat.   It was a grey,cool day with menacing clouds and breeze that began at 10-12 out of the east and built steadily all day with gusts to 16-17 wiith 2 feet seas by the end of the day.  Active coaching from all support boats around the course increased learning and provided tons of moral support as the breeze piped up.  First there were 52, then there were 40, then 30, with just under half the fleet having the endurance and grit to make it through to the end of 8 great races.  Too many sailors were not dressed for the weather and were out before Race 1 concluded.  However, for heartier souls, it was great fun.  One young racer was heard to yell "This is the BEST day ever!"  Several sailors asked the RC  on the way over the starting line "Where am I going?"  Funny, how little changes after many more years of racing...  All race winners took home iinflatable monkey as prizes and everyone stopped by the Fontelieu for candy after every race.   Although the event is purposely not scored, it should be noted that CPYC sailors were in the top 3 of every race, so we have talented skippers of the future in development.  All sailors went home with medals and got an ice cream from the "Phil and Tom" 1964 Good Humor truck, a brilliant plan by John Wilcox.  R & R and Entertainment take note of a great formula: wind, candy, swag and ice cream!

 CPYC Junior Big Boat Team takes 2nd at Black Rock Jr PHRF Regatta. 7 CPYC juniors with guidance from Adult Adviser Halsey Bullen and coach Tom Gabbott sailed Wilbanks' J105 Revelation to a close 2nd just behind one of Pequot's two J109 teams. An easterly provided great surfing conditions with gusts into the low 20's (with average crew weight 100 lbs!), giving the team a great practice regatta as prep for Monday's Dorade Trophy at Stamford YC and Tuesday's Beach Point Overnight Race from Bell 42 to Stratford Shoal Light and back.   (Photo left to right: Mary Margaret Meehan, Alie Schaefer, Charlotte Saxe, Alison Blauvelt, Isabelle Pieper, Tyler Paige, (back) coach Tom Gabbott, Forrest Thomas).   CPYC Jr Coaches Tim Clark, Tom Gabbott and Chris Kinner have all worked hard with our big boat team this summer.