August 2009 Papoose Article

Our members are really having a great time this year sailing and partying. It has been one terrific event after another. On July 4, John Incantalupo “sailed” his Lightning down East Shore Trail in the Sparta Independence Day Parade and later that evening we held our annual Independence Day Family Picnic. Thanks to all who made the event such a great success.

On July 5, we had our Marine Base Regatta in which 13 boats (6 Lightnings, 6 Snipe and 1 Hobie Cat) participated. The event was won by Rich Miner in his Lightning with John Marx and Mike Kelly (welcome back Mike!) taking second and third place respectively in their Snipes.

Just to recap some of our other sailing events, on June 14, in a NE wind of 4-6 mph, 4 Lightnings and 2 Snipes competed in two races. Lightning skippers Perry Anderson and Chuck Chute each took a first and in the Snipes, John Marx and visiting skipper Bruce Munro swapped for first and second. The next week, June 21, brought 3 Lightnings out in NNE wind that varied up to 8 mph. Rich Miner and Hank Jelinek traded for first and third in the two races while Perry Anderson finished second in both races.

On July 12, we sailed in a shifty and gusty wind that prevailed out of the WSW. At times there were holes and at other times we were hiked out hard to hold our boats down. Rich Miner took two firsts over the 4 other Lightnings that raced with John Incantalupo coming in second in race 1 and Don Okner taking second in race 2. Jeff Urbanski sailed his Snipe and some Sunfish made it out, too.

Junior Sailing is well under way. Sean Incantalupo, assisted by John Oldridge and Sabina Incanatalupo, is bringing along yet another generation of new sailors. Also, Adult Sailing Lessons are available. If you are a LMCC member and want to lean how to sail, contact us—or even better, come down on a Sunday at Noon and see what we do. You might even be invited to crew.

Finally, our last open regatta for the season, the Commodore’s Cup, will be held on September 6 with sign up at 12 Noon and the start at 1 pm. Regattas are handicapped and are open to all LMCC members with any type of sailboat. Come try your skills. And, speaking of skills, just look at John Marx in this month’s photo—he makes single handing a Snipe look easy!

Race official assignments are posted on our website, www.lakemohawksailing.org. Be sure to check your assignment and inform Race Committee Chairman Chuck Chute if you need to reschedule. For membership information, you can e-mail us at sail@lakemohawksailing.org or write to PO Box 29, Sparta, NJ 07871.

Until next month, smooth sailing and God bless America!

Don Okner

John Marx Single-Handing His Snipe