November 2025 Papoose Article

The Yacht Club just wrapped up its 87th season since its incorporation! It was a wonderful summer full of exciting races, much-needed infrastructure projects, and social events. While we know the cold weather is coming, we will be keeping busy throughout the winter preparing for next year and dreaming of hoisting our boats into the water again.

The Commodore’s Cup Regatta was held September 7th. It was a beautiful day with sunny skies, fairly steady winds out of the Southwest. Eight sailboats: 2 Lightnings, 2 Sunfish, 1 Laser, 1 Day Sailer 17, 1 Hunter 140 and a Zuma, raced in the Regatta. Longtime member and seasoned sailor John Miller logged his 31st year as Race Committee Chairman for this event!

In the first race, Rich Miner and Toby Hilgendorff both got good starts in Lightnings, with the Miners in the lead, but with the Hilgendorffs close behind all the way. John Trela in a Laser was 3rd, Mark Marussich in a Day Sailer 17 was 4th and Shirley Miller in a Sunfish was 5th, followed by Dmitry Kersh with Junior Sailor son Albert, and Noel Turner in a Hunter 140, Jon Hirschey with Junior Sailor son Logan in a Sunfish, and Nick Grano, a Junior Sailing graduate, and his dad Michael in a Zuma.

In the second race John Trela, Shirley Miller and the Hilgendorffs all got very good starts. John Trela was first around the Weather Mark, followed by the Hilgendorffs and the Miners. By the second time around the Hilgendorffs had taken over the lead. During the sixth leg of the seven-leg race, the Miners were able to lift over the Hilgendorffs to pull ahead and finish 1st with the Hilgendorffs close 2nd. Mark Marussich was 3rd, Dmitry Kersh was 4th, John Trela was 5th, followed by Shirley Miller, Jon Hirschey and Nick Grano.

Commodore Rich Miner, along with his crew of Bob McNamara and Gail Miner, took 1st place in the Regatta, followed by Toby and Carol Hilgendorff in 2nd. Third place went to Mark Marussich with crew Susan Hauck and Alex Fox. Medals were presented to the winners at the Awards Luncheon following the race and members enjoyed a gorgeous afternoon of music and camaraderie.

On September 14th, in light and variable winds out of the North and Northeast, four sailboats took on the challenge of the light winds: two Lightnings, a Laser and a Sunfish. John Trela in his Laser won the start, but Rich Miner in his Lighting, with Gail and Jon Hirschey crew, was able to lift over John Trela in the first leg and then hold his lead to the finish. John was 2nd and the Hilgendorffs were 3rd.

On September 21st, the winds were off the East Shore, making it very difficult to set a course. RC Tim and Marybeth Mackey ran the Committee boat around until they were able to set a course near Manitou Island, with the weather mark south of the cove and the jibe mark in the cove. At the start, only Chris Mackey in a Snipe and John Trela in his Laser were there, but Mark Marussich in his Day Sailer joined them mid-race. Chris took an early commanding lead and led all the way. They managed to get in three races by keeping them short.

Our annual meeting is scheduled for October 26 at which a slate of officers and trustees for next season will be elected. Members Toby and Carol Hilgendorff graciously offered to host the meeting and after-party at their house. The fall cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, October 25. Our intrepid grounds crew will put the club to bed for the season by raking up leaves, removing the floating docks, installing the bubbler system to protect the permanent docks, and moving the Sunfish under the buoy room canopy to keep them out of the harsh winter elements. It has been a fine display of the volunteerism and community spirit that has kept our club thriving since 1938.

We’ve got great pictures of the sailing here, and many more along with lots of info on our website: www.LakeMohawkSailing.org.

Submitted by Commodore Rich Miner and Sunfish Fleet Captain Alex Fox