Grand tradition of Larchmont Race Week

The month of July in western Long Island Sound has traditionally brought light and shifty winds. For the past few years, however, Larchmont’s annual Race Week, held the third week in July, has enjoyed atypical conditions providing excellent sailing. And, while the sailing for the 121st Larchmont Race Week on July 13-21 was keenly competitive, the light and variable winds returned to heighten the challenge.

The recurring theme of comments made by the competitors was that, to win, you had to “connect the dots” of puffs and shifts.

LYC’s Ted Ferrarone, co-owner of the winning Viper 640 noted, “We had a big, competitive fleet and good conditions for three of four days. The biggest challenge, however, was getting off the line for the multi-class Execution Rocks Race that was ultimately won by Barry Gold on the Farr 400 Sundari.

Paul Beaudin from Harlem Yacht Club won the J/105 class and, when asked, commented that, “In deep summer, this is a traditional event for us to race. Larchmont Yacht Club does such a great job running this regatta, both the sailing and the parties, that it’s really special to have won our class.”

In addition to being the 121st Larchmont Race Week, it was also the first of three Centennial Regattas for the historic S Boat Class. This year, 15 S Boats from as far away as Virginia and Massachusetts were in the water getting in nine races over four days of racing. In the end, it was Paul Del Nero (Bristol, RI) who won this classic yacht event within an event.

When the perpetual trophies were presented, the Anne Kathleen Cullen trophy for best performance by a one-design went to the Viper 640 crew of Cardwell and Jennifer Potts, Kendra Emhiser, and Ted Ferrarone. The Monte Sano Trophy for the best performing LYC handicap boat went to former LYC Commodore Carl Olsson and his J/109 crew aboard Morning Glory.

LYC Rear Commodore Steve Leicht served as the event chair for this year’s Race Week and said, “It’s always bittersweet when Race Week comes to an end. So much goes into the planning of Race Week, there are so many volunteers for the four days of senior sailing and four days of junior sailing, that it’s a relief when you can sit back and realize that all that hard work paid off.

“On the water and off, Race Week is a highlight of the Club’s sailing season and it was hugely gratifying that we had over 175 senior boats sailing on four different circles with our Race Committees running great races.”

Larchmont Race Week: https://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=6240
Larchmont Junior Race Week results: https://theclubspot.com/regatta/dt5zEEzBmq

Source: Edward R. Padin