Written by Mark Whitehead, Tim Wright
Editing Kathleen Whitehead
Photos by Paul McBride, Tim & B.B. Wright, Mark Whitehead, Brooks Campbell
Layout Paul McBride
Lily Pond Sailing
The sailing at Lily Pond on Sunday, August 16, was perhaps the best sailing day of the summer there. The winds were strong without being overpowering. There was one drawback, however. A temperature in the low 70s with wind can be cool, even chilly, especially for a Floridian centenarian spectator like Don Opie, who tends to get cold even in the 90s. Fortunately B.B. Wright brought an abundance of warm clothing for Don so he stayed comfortable.
Bill Hagerup, Jim Opie, Paul McBride, Tim Wright, Skip Koehler, Al Stevens, and Jack Berglund provided the fleet, sailing five US12s and two Solings. Jack sailed here at Lily Pond years ago. Now he sails Footies.
Videos and Photos
- Back Bay Skippers Video (WMUR NH Chronicles)
- Back Bay Skippers YouTube Channel
- Latest Videos: Solings, US12s, Lily Pond
- Latest Photos: Solings, US12s, Lily Pond
- Photo Gallery
Previous Highlights
- Awards for 2019 Season
- In Memory of Tom Greig 1956-2020
- Tim Wright Wins CAN/AM Challenge 2019
- Lake Discovery Camp
- US12 AMYA Region 1 Championship, Nashua
- Sasquatch Footy Regatta (Nor’Easter Footy Series)
- Skippers Spring Party 2019
Score Sheets
More than just scorekeepers at Back Bay, Ellen Koehler and B.B. are weekly spectators at Lily Pond and are always welcome whenever and wherever the boats are sailing.
The sailing was competitive and exciting with wind shifts and dead spots keeping the racing close. Most importantly, the sailors and spectators had a good time. We all relish the time together, particularly when the wind is so nice. Hopefully we’ll have another day like this one in the near future.
Solings Get the Wind
For those of us who like the wind, August 18 was the day. Fifteen skippers accepted the challenge and launched for the twelve-race regatta. The eight-to-ten mph winds held reasonably steady all afternoon, and although the sun was out, it didn’t bake everyone like it has the last few weeks. A fun day on Back Bay!
Second place in Master Class for the 2019 fall series was finally awarded to Rick Lalley. Belated congratulations, Rick!
Returning to action this week were Al Posnack and Tim Brand. Al is very involved in the youth sailing program on the other side of the lake, leaving little time for model yacht sailing. This year, the youth sailing had two hundred sign up so it was a challange to keep everyone safe. It was great seeing Tim Brand as well, his attention focused on the homefront.
Out on the Water
Another week of close competition with twelve different skippers placing first, second, or third in the twelve races. Our amazing Tim Wright sailed first in all but one of the nine races he was in, and for that race he finished second! Our Mainer Howard Germon showed off his skills with a second place in the regatta, followed very closely by Rick Lalley in third — and I do mean closely — by only one tenth of a point!
Dan Masessa held his own placing fourth, and just four tenths behind was Bill Malay in fifth. Tim Brand and Mark Whitehead posted the only tie of the day leading the back half of the top ten. Others in the top ten were Al Posnack, Tom Barstow, Jay Burns, and Jack Minahan.
US12 Sailing 20-8-20
Today’s racing at Back Bay was memorable for many reasons.
Kurt Clason won his first race and will receive his prize next week. Well done, Kurt!
A young spectator named Castle Fernald was interested in the boats and stayed around with his parents and caretaker to watch the sailing. He particularly liked the boat with the shark on the sails and a racing stripe. Yes, his favorite was Bob Brennan’s boat. Castle has good taste. He was given his own model boat that he proudly showed to his parents.
Speaking of good taste, we also had two spectators offer cookies for the sailors. Visitors June and Shirley enjoyed watching the racing, and rewarded us with some delicious M&M cookies. Could it be the start of a new tradition? I doubt it, but it certainly was a nice gesture and much appreciated, especially due to the difficult sailing conditions.
The wind was much stronger than usual, although it came in waves. There were a number of collisions and equipment failures, but also some really good sailing. Due to a collision, John Simms lost his forestay. Unbelievably, the mast stayed up and John was able to sail his jib-less boat back to the dock. After changing a fitting, he re-entered the fray.
There were many examples of the blustery conditions today. We had batteries wearing down, bilges filling, boats losing power due to high water inside, sails not coming in all the way, a mast crane coming unglued, and many collisions and entanglements on the water. Paul McBride had his boat dismasted at the dock as the races ended. He plans to rework it and sail at Lily Pond on Sunday.
The conditions made for exciting sailing for the racers and the spectators.
Congratulations to all the sailors who braved the conditions: Don McBride, Paul McBride, Paul Wallace, Kurt Clason, John Simms, Jim Opie, Bob Brennan, and Tim Wright. Also, thanks to Don Cundy, who worked to help with various repairs. It was a memorable afternoon, and one we can think of this winter… the day the wind had its way!
Join Us if You Like
But please maintain at least that six-foot distance. Bring your camera for the show but also bring and wear a face mask. Sailing always begins at 1:00 p.m. on Back Bay at the Lehner Street/Glendon Street municipal parking area, weather permitting. Solings sail on Tuesday, the US12s compete on Thursday, and “what you brung” at 9 a.m. Sunday at Lily Pond in Gilford. Wednesdays are available should a Tuesday or Thursday regatta have to be canceled.
