Spring Invitational Returns to Larchmont Model Yacht Club

April 2, 2011
Larchmont, NY

 

After a five-year hiatus, the Larchmont Model YC Spring Invitational regatta was held off the front docks of the Club on April 2, 2011. Sixteen CR-914 model boat sailors gathered under the direction of Regatta Chairman, David Graves to sail on a beautiful, sunny day. The boats are modeled after International America’s Cup Class yachts and have a remote control to direct steering and positioning of sails.

This year’s event used the Heat Management System of scoring, breaking the fleet into two divisions with promotions and relegations after each heat. Racing began at 0930 Saturday morning with a six knot westerly blowing off shore. The course was set Windward/Leeward configuration with offset marks at both top and bottom and a pair of starting marks from which to choose. The control area was a 50’ extension dock off the main float with the “off division” and boats comfortably located on the inside main dock.

In total, 14 races were run – ten as split HMS heats, and, because of attrition, the final four races as one fleet. During the day, it was clear who had their remote controls in sync with their boats. Three visiting sailors proved their chops against the local fleet. Dave Ramos from Annapolis (former National Champ and four-time Spring Invitational winner) was hot from the get go and won the day. Newcomer Kevin MacLelland from Essex, CT finished second, and Marblehead sailor John Whalen rounded out the podium, three points back. Top LMYC finishers were Stu Saffer in fourth, Howie McMichael and Buttons Padin tied for fifth.

In past Spring Invitationals, the single honor that eclipsed winning the regatta was receipt of the Hugh Fletcher Memorial Spirit of Sailing Award. Every competitor voted for the person who most closely reflected the Hugh’s approach to and enjoyment of sailing. This year’s Hugh Fletcher Award went to Event Chairman David Graves.

The LMYC Low/Gross Award for the sailor whose performance in the regatta demonstrated a more shore-side aptitude was awarded by LMYC Commodore Buttons Padin to Nick Langone. Receiving the HMS Endurance award for having sailed the most races (due to repeated promotion and relegation) was Tom Wey who finished in tenth overall. The Race Committee was led by LMYC member Paul Lennon, LMYC Honorary Member and life-long RC Chair, Ruth Campanelli, and assisted by visiting Rebecca Fleckenstein.

Results:

 

1, Ramos, Dave , 33, 2, 4, 3, 3, 3, 2, 4, 3, 5, 2, 6, 1, 1, 7

2, MacLelland, Kevin , 36, 3, 7, 8, 1, 7, 3, 3, 4, 1, 1, 2, 3, 2, 6

3, Whalen, John , 50, 1, 2, 2, 11, 4, 7, 1, 1, 6, 10, 7, 5, 9, 5

4, Saffer, Stu, 55, 7, 9, 1, 4, 9, 1, 6, 2, 2, 8, 5, 4, 6, 16

5, McMichael, Howie, 66, 6, 11, 6, 8, 6, 8, 5, 7, 3, 6, 9, 6, 4, 1

6, Padin, Buttons, 66, 5, 3, 4, 6, 11, 6, 9, 11, 4, 9, 8, redress, 3, 3

7, Croxall, Julian, 80, 10, 1, 12, 13, 2, 10, 14, 10, 8, 7, 4, 2, 12, 2

8, Graves, David, 89, 8, 6, 9, 10, 10, 4, 8, 8, 9, 13, 1, 10, 8, 8

9, Buchanan, Hank, 98, 4, 5, 10, 7, 1, 5, 2, 8, 16, 12, 12, 16, 16, 16

10, Wey, Tom, 101, 13, 8, 5, 12, 5, 12, 7, 5, 10, 11, 14, 9, 7, 10

11, Campanelli, Rocc0, 112, 14, 15, 7, 2, 15, 13, 10, 6, 7, 4, 13, 12,
                                  11, 13

12, Fleckenstein, Mark, 118, 11, 10, 13, 16, 12, 11, 11, 13, 13, 3, 11,
                                  8, 6, 9

13, Hodgson, John, 129, 9, 12, 16, 15, 16, 9, 15, 9, 11, 5, 10, 13, 16,

                            4

14, Langone, Nick, 134, 12, 14, 11, 9, 13, 14, 12, 14, 12, 15, 15, 7, 5,

                            11

15, Pelley, Jon , 139, 15, 13, 14, 5, 8, 15, 13, 16, 17, 14, 3, 11, 16, 12

16, Godsend, Jim, 185, 16, 16, 15, 14, 14, 16, 16, 15, 15, 16, 16, 16,

                           16, 16

 

Photos by Pricilla Mandryk and Maureen Koeppel