Written by Mark Whitehead, Tim Wright
Editing Kathleen Whitehead
Photos by Paul McBride, B.B. Wright, Bruce Brown
Layout & Photo Captions by Paul McBride
Games by Dave Perry
Top Honors for Back Bay Skippers
No awards were presented in 2020, but we certainly are pleased to name the champions for our 2021 season.
Master Class Soling 2021 Season Champion ~ Tim Wright
Sailor Class Soling 2021 Season Champion ~ Steve Leker
US12 Class 2021 Season Champion ~ Tim Wright
All Wrong
The forecast predicted clouds, temperatures in the fifties, and three-mph winds out of the east. Well, meteorologists lied. None of that happened. Sunshine brightened every corner of Wolfeboro, temperatures hovered in the mid-sixties, and winds arrived from the north at variable speeds of five to six. Because of the north wind, it was a left-to-right start for the ten skippers who sailed on Tuesday, October 5.
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
- Sasquatch Regatta (Nor’easter Footy Series) 2021, 2019
- Sheila Ryan Memorial Footy Regatta 2021, 2020
- Awards for 2019 Season
- Tim Wright Wins CAN/AM Challenge 2019
- Lake Discovery Camp 2019
- US12 AMYA Region 1 Championship, Nashua
- Spring Skippers Party 2019
Score Sheets
Bruce Brown brought his drone instead of his Soling and gave us some aerial shots of the day’s events. Skip Koehler sailed but didn’t compete in the races due to some nagging boat issues. After missing the first three races, Jack Minahan finally solved his electrical connection problems for four of the eight races at least.
Out on the Water
At the end of the day, it was Steve Leker who earned top bragging rights, besting a hard-charging Anthony Quinn. But only by a mere four tenths of a point, so he can brag only a little. Third place went to Mark Whitehead, followed by Jay Burns and Genie Ware tied for fourth. John Barstow took the fifth spot by the slimmest of margins, at only three tenths of a point behind Jay and Genie.
Unofficial Soling Scores
1 – Steve Leker 5 – John Barstow
2 – Anthony Quinn 6 – Paul McBride
3 – Mark Whitehead 7 – Jack Minahan
4 – Jay Burns
4 – Genie Ware
US12 Sailing
The weather was idyllic for the seven US12 sailors on Thursday, October 7. The sun was out, the breeze was strong enough to complete eleven longer courses, and the foliage was a beautiful backdrop. Each race had an additional lengthy upwind leg before finishing downwind. With sizable wind shifts and changes in velocity, it seemed there was always a chance to catch up, or fall further behind. The racing was close, with everyone in the action. It was a great afternoon of sailing.
On the water, Tim Wright took the day with consistent sailing. Right behind was Paul McBride, who sailed Tim’s backup boat since his own boat had electrical issues and was out for the day. John Simms, always competitive, was next, less then five hundredths behind Paul. Don Cundy ended up in fourth place overall, finishing races in second place three times. Jim Opie, who finished next, was always right in the action. Bruce Wilhelm and Bob Strodel were sixth and seventh. Both are becoming more familiar with the boats. Bruce had a number of strong races, finishing fourth three times, and Bob started the day with a third place.
Unofficial US12 Scores
Tim Wright 1.3
Paul McBride 2.55
John Simms 2.6
Don Cundy 3.55
Jim Opie 4.9
Bruce Wilhelm 5.2
Bob Strodel 5.75
At this time of year, keeping score is just for fun. The real fun is challenging each other and ourselves to become better by providing a competitive environment. The level of sailing has definitely gone up this year. It is more challenging now than it was in the spring and early summer. How many more days of sailing before the season is over? Several, we hope.
On the National Scene
Rick Gates and Rick Laird of the Back Bay Skippers participated in the CR914 Class Nationals on Redd’s Pond in Marblehead this week. Congratulations to the Ricks!
Join the Fun
The season is still going strong despite no official scoring, so folks are encouraged to stop by on Tuesday and Thursday at 1 PM to watch the action (weather permitting, of course), or Wednesday if Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate on Tuesday or Thursday. Make sure you have your camera at the ready. October 10 at 9 AM is the final sail of the season for Lily Pond as the skippers look forward to seeing you there next summer.
Upcoming events:
- October 6-10, 2021 US VMYG National Championship Regatta, Chester Springs MYC, Honey Brook PA
- October 24, 2021 Chowder Cup Regatta, Redd’s Pond, Marblehead MA
- October 30, 2021 MinuteMan Footy Regatta, Nor’easter Footy Series Race 5, Rosemary Lake, Needham MA
Links: American Model Yachting Association, MinuteMan Model Yacht Club, Nashua Model Yacht Club, Marblehead Model Yacht Club, Greater Worcester Model Yacht Club, Sarasota Model Yacht Club, Space Coast Model Sailing Club, Sun Coast Model Sailing Club, Stowe Yacht Club, USS Constitution Model Shipwright Guild, Vac-U-Soling, 3D Printed Radio Yachts, US Vintage Model Yacht Group, Raritan Yacht Club RC Laser Fleet, Racing Rules of Sailing 2021-2024