Centennial racing at Pequot Yacht Club

Pequot Yacht Club (Southport, CT) celebrated its 100-year anniversary with a team race weekend, beginning with a 2v2 random pairs invitational on September 19, the Pequot Challenge Cup, and closing with a 2v2 random pairs event for its members on September 20.

The opening event showcased a talented group of 16 local competitors across eight Ideal-18s, with extensive resumes among them. Accolades of competitors included Olympic campaigns, America’s Cup, college sailing coaches, US Sailing Team, and Match Racing national champions.

Pequot entered five teams, skippered by Dave Dellenbaugh, Dave Perry, Bryce Kopp, Tim Clark, and Peter Bailey, and the remaining 3 invited teams came from Noroton Yacht Club (Will Graves), New York Yacht Club (Zach Leonard), and San Diego Yacht Club (Judge Ryan).

At the conclusion of the double round robin, consisting of 28 races completed in breezy 5.5 hours, Dave and Sue Dellanbough emerged victorious with a 13-1 record, followed by Dave and Betsy Perry with a 10-4 record, and Zach and Alice Leonard with a 9-5 record. Three wins separated fourth and eighth place in this close field.

Perhaps a signal of hope in a sailing season otherwise affected by COVID-19, each boat sailed with a crew composed of family members, significant others, or neighbors in this fully 50-50 coed event on Long Island Sound.

The closing event saw much of the same weather, with increased winds up to 23 knots at times. A bevvy of Pequot members, some returning (slightly sore) from the Pequot Challenge Cup and others fresh, set sail for another round of competitive but more friendly competition during Pequot’s Last Hurrah Team Race.

Members found the 2v2 random pairs format exhilarating and refreshing as their individual and team skills were put to the test in the sporty conditions in the club’s Ideal 18s. Sailing the same course as the day prior, a starboard – starboard – port triangle proved effective at creating many opportunities to team race. including a long square last beat.

Members returned to shore wet, tired, and smiling and hailed the regatta a smashing success.

The successes of the weekend would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of Peter Bailey (organizer and event chair), Evan Olmstead (PRO), and Dave Perry (advisor). Pequot looks forward to hosting the 4th annual Pequot Challenge Cup next year along with the 2nd annual Last Hurrah Team Race.

Results – Photos/Video