Lauri

Click Here for 2021 ALIR Photos of the Race

Last week we had a very successful Around Long Island Regatta. Our Race Committee started the week traveling to Liberty Landing Marina. Wednesday the Captain’s Meeting was held at Maritime Parc Restaurant as well as via Zoom and was well attended. The venue was beautiful with lovely views of lower Manhattan. Thursday it was off to the “Willie Wall”, Manhattan Yacht Clubs floating club house and our committee boat for the start of the race. With great winds the competitors were off. The racers had strong winds and rain overnight but these conditions helped the sailors all get to the finish quickly. Sunday we had the Awards barbeque at the club to congratulate all the sailors.

Thanks go out to the entire committee led by co-chairs Brad Dickson and Shana Ciniski. Principle Race Officer Doug Wefer along with Mary Ellen and Paul efficiently ran the starts for nine divisions. They were assisted by PC Tim O’Rourke, PC Brad Dickson and Robert Bauerschmidt. Commodore Robin Maynard, RC Keith Maler, Bob Bauerschmit and Andrew Curto provided their boat to transport many of the committee. Shana and her crew did a great job selling ALIR gear. GM Charlie Walsh added his expertise throughout the week. Thanks to Chef Nick, Anthony, Jenna and the entire crew at the club for providing food throughout the race and especially at the Award party. We are looking forward to the 45^th ALIR in 2022. Cheers

The Ice cube Regatta was Exactly That!!

Hi Everyone – The forecast today couldn’t have been much worse with temperatures in the 30’s with rain. Fortunately, that didn’t discourage anyone. The 19-boat fleet arrived for setup and it was sleeting. Thankfully, the race committee forged ahead and got started promptly. Yes, it was cold, but the rain stopped and the sailors had 7 extremely competitive windward-leeward-windward races in the 7-14 mph northeasterly (down the Glen Cove creek).

 

In the 11 boat Sunfish fleet, Lee Montes again sailed the shortest way more consistently than anyone else to take the title. Lee frequently found himself rounding the windward mark with many boats in front of him only to make his way to the top 3 at the finish. Doug Wefer, Griffin Sisk, Dave Lawson & Keith Maler chased Lee without success. Meanwhile, Kevin Ryan, Ryan Dunn, and Nick Russo all made some strides at mastering the puffy conditions. Joe Beitch, Annika Kaelin, and Naadira Gafar might have found the wind a little too brisk to be optimal but they all showed brilliant moments with top 5 finishes.

 

The 7 Lasers and 1 RS Aero had themselves a great afternoon. Sean Murphy started off with two bullets until he swam in the third race. Meanwhile, Dan Rapelje got hot and ripped off four firsts in the last 5 races to be the Laser Ice Cube Champion. The Lasers welcomed a couple of new sailors in Dylan Williams, Trey Johnston, and Jon Renz. It was great to have them mix it up with the regulars and Dylan’s Aero proved competitive with the Lasers.

 

After sailing, everyone enjoyed some hot chocolate and Mary Ellen Wefer chili – outside the Club basement. The Ice Cube Regatta trophies, appropriately, were neck warmers.

As always, thanks go to Dave Lawson for scoring and to the Race Committee support crew led by Mary Ellen Wefer & Charles “Button Boy” Beitch. Further, many thanks to support boat operator Pat McCann for his attentiveness and the extra effort setting up for the ugly weather. Lastly, a special shoutout to Sea Cliff YC General Manager Charlie Walsh for pitching in to make our day a success

Santa arrived to the club at noon.  Due to social distancing each family took turns visiting Santa in the regatta room.