2012 Big Pond Calendar Highlight - 2011 Big Pond Regatta
It would be difficult to imagine a more perfect day for a sail around the lake. The day was warm, the winds moderate, (making the sailing pure fun,) the turnout good with several new boats and faces and to a person enthusiastic sailors pleased to be there. The new starting location and the Committee boat really helped to get the fleet into something of an organized start and on time as well. Practice will only make us better.
The committee boat has to be recognized. Captain Paul Darby, and first mate Susan Frew volunteered their pontoon boat for only a pitcher of margaritas. Paul and his crew not only got us off to a good start but then went on to follow the fleet taking photos and even lending assistance to a stranded crew member from a capsized boat.
Yes we did have a boat go over --- our neighbors Mike and Jean Calicchia with a new sail boat --- a Flying Fish ---- with one day’s experience and not one shred of instruction joined the regatta. All was well until the boat, approaching Loon Rocks ran into some squirrely wind which their one day of experience had not prepared them for. Over the boat went. They got it back up ok but Jean had difficulty getting in so was picked up by the Committee boat, maybe she preferred the committee boat with Margaritas. Skipper Mike not only got the boat back up but caught back up with the fleet and finished with the rest of us.
We have another mention – the youngest skipper - Tom O’Donnells Granddaughter, 11 years old skippered Tom’s boat “a whistler ” and sailed the entire event without missing a beat.
We had a husband and wife duo in their separate Sunfish sailboats --- Faith and John Weldon. This must be what happens when you can’t figure out who is going to be the skipper. After the start John took off like a boat possessed, I reminded Faith that this was not a race --- she assured me that John was aware but wanted to get back to shore to watch the finals of the Woman’s world cup soccer cup. I now understood why John wanted to know if we got ESPN on our TV because there he was watching the game when we arrived back at our cottage.
Yes there will be a next year --- If there was any doubt about a next year the doubt was erased when the onlooker from shore shouted to us “great to see the sailboats back”. 2010 yielded 10 boats – 2011 11 boats and I hope 2012 a lot more than that.
Save the date for next year’s Regatta Sunday July 15. Same format as this year but there will be follow up reminders.
Chuck Bennett