August 2025 Papoose Article

 The Hilgendorffs headed to Rhode Island for the Block Island Race Week sailed June 22nd to 27th. These two pictures capture some of the fun. Carol described their family’s experience there as follows:

“I was not born into a sailing family; I married into one in 1995. I sailed one day of my first Storm Trysail Block Island Race Week in 1993 on a Swan 47 and have sailed fifteen Storm Trysail Block Island Race Weeks on various boats since, including in 1999 when I was pregnant with our first child. This June, we were lucky enough to have our full family on board all week, including my husband, Toby, daughter, Bridget, son, Paxton, our daughter’s boyfriend, Matthew (who is part of the family at this point), as well as my eighty-three-year-old father-in-law, still at the helm of the J29 we were sailing. This year, there were 162 boats racing about 140 races across seventeen classes over five days with approximately 1400 sailors. 

Our favorite race of the week is, by far, “Around the Island,” giving us views of two lighthouses, five wind turbines off Block Island and many more off Martha’s Vineyard, along with vast stretches of sandy bluffs topped with rich green beach grasses. We had our best finish of the week in that race, finishing fourth out of thirteen boats. Much like Lake Mohawk sailing, we had strong winds, light winds, and at times, no wind, but we like to remember that in sailing, it’s not the finish line that shapes us, but the balance of wind, water, and perseverance that leaves its mark.”

Meanwhile back at Lake Mohawk, on June 8th with winds out of the Southwest, East and Northwest, the Yacht club was able to hold two races. The Miner lightning, with Rich, Gail, and Bob McNamara, opened an early lead in each race and then stretched the lead to finish more than five minutes ahead of the 2nd place finisher each time, thus beating the handicaps to finish each race in 1st place. In Race 1, based on handicapped scoring, John Trela in a laser was 2nd, Mark Marussich in a Day Sailer was 3rd, Pete Hilgendorff and Carol Fishbone in a Lightning came in 4th. On corrected time in Race 2, Mark bested John for 2nd place by 4 seconds, and the Hilgendorffs finished 4th.

On June 29th, the LMYC held its annual Gabor Cup Regatta, which is open to all LMCC members. The winds were up and down from strong to very light, predominately out of the Southwest. At the start of the first race the Hilgendorffs and Tim Mackey got Rich in a squeeze play, with the Hilgendorffs to windward and Tim to Leeward. Rich drifted back to tack behind the Hilgendorffs for clear air and went on to finish 1st.

At the start of the 2nd race, there was a lot of confusion due to an over early and a foul. Ken Kolkebeck and Rich stalled out head to wind until the confusion cleared. Ken headed straight out on starboard, while Rich tacked to port for clear air. The top finishers of the Regatta on corrected time were Ken in a Sunfish in 3rd place, Tim Mackey in a Snipe in 2nd and the Miner Lightning in 1st.

On July 3rd the Yacht Club held its annual July 4th cookout, before the Country Club’s fireworks. Jon Hirschey headed the organizing team, assisted by Alex Fox and Birgit Bogler. When the heavy thunderstorm rolled in they had to shelter inside the Buoy Room with the door shut! Thanks to the Hauck family for helping with the setup of tents and tables, and to all those who helped with the grill or in many other ways to make the party a success.

Our 2024 Junior Sailing Program got underway on June 30th totally filled at 10 students, with Head Instructor Kristina Genovese assisted by Jr. Instructors McKaela and Shealyn Reekie. As always, check our webpage for LMYC updates: LakeMohawkSailing.org.

THE BIG NEWS: join us at Beach One on Saturday, August 30th for the Yacht Club - sponsored Margaritaville Night at the Tiki Bar, open to all LMCC members. In honor of Jimmy Buffett Day, there will be raffles, official Margaritaville souvenirs, and of course great music by the immortal “Son of a Son of a Sailor”.

Commodore Rich Miner