Friday, July 24 dawned cloudy and cool, but cleared out nicely for the Callahan Regatta hosted by the Bay Head Yacht Club. This annual event is typically held on the fourth Friday in July, and is now in its 12th year. With more than 60 boats participating, including sailors from as far away as Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the 2009 regatta was the most well-attended since its inception. Of particular note was the addition this year of the M-Scow fleet, with an impressive 12 boats participating. Other classes represented included A-Cat’s, Marshall Sanderlings, Sandpipers and Barnegat Bay Sneakboxes. The Sandpiper fleet was represented by 30 boats, which is a record number of participants for this class at any regatta. Even sailors who do not normally sail a Sandpiper jumped into a boat and made Sandpiper history, including such notables as Will Demand, Had Brick, Peter Wright, Billy Warner and Carl Horrocks. Boat builder Geoff Marshall was on hand to sail a brand new Marshall Sanderling. Sailors from Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club in Landings, NJ also made the trip ‘down the shore’ to sail on the massive A-Cat, ‘Vapor.’ These seasoned sailors typically sail A-Class Catamarans, and all had a blast sailing the ‘other A-Cat.’
At the awards presentation that afternoon special trophies were awarded to Anne Edwards for her husband Rod’s contribution to sailing, the Studdiford Trophy presented to Tim Brown (SPYC) for first place in the Sneakbox, the Gail and Jim Dunn Trophy to Paul Gelenitis (MCYC) for placing first in the Sandpiper class and the Callahan Perpetual Trophy to Betsy Allison (MCYC). A check for $2009 was presented to Team Barnegat for their 2012 Olympic campaign and was accepted by Carl Horrocks.
The Callahan Regatta is open to both sailors and non-sailors alike are all are invited to attend. The regatta next year is scheduled for Friday, July 23, 2010. Hope to see you then.
Final scores for the day are:
A-Cat
1st Spyder – Peter Saya (SPYC)
2nd Torch – John Brady (Phila. Seaport)
3rd – Ghost – Bill Fortenbaugh (BHYC)
M-Scows
1st – John Applegate (LYC)
2nd – Molly Lucas (BHYC)
3rd – Mark Lewis (MYC)
B-Cat
1st – Betsy Davis (LYC)
2nd – Hank Bristol (BHYC)
3rd – John Bers (BHYC)
Sandpipers
1st – Paul Gelenitis (MCYC)
2nd – Will Demand – (TRYC)
3rd – Peter Chance (MYC)
Sandpiper Masters
Connie Pilling (MYC)
All Women’s Crew
Betsy Allison (MCYC)
Sneakboxes
1st – Tim Brown (SPYC)
2nd – Eric Wagoner (MCYC)
3rd – Todd Nosher (SPYC)
Regatta Report, from Mike Gruber of LHYC:
