2021 Halloween Classic

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October 9-10

Mohican Sailing Club, Lucas, OH

It was a scary weekend in terms of weather – summer conditions in early October! This was also MSC’s first full scale regatta in the COVID era.

Thirteen boats made the trip from near and far (3 boats from North Carolina made the trip!). Also making an appearance was the team of Marion Zaugg and Elizabeth Maldonado in Seabiscuit after an absence of several years.

Winds were light and shifty from the west/northwest and temperatures were in the high 70s – low 80s for Saturday afternoon. 13 boats were out, the largest fleet that MSC has seen all year.

On Sunday morning, the wind shifted to the south and strengthened. Temps were cooler in the morning, warming up into the high 60s/low 70s by lunchtime. 11 boats were out. Unfortunately, Barb Zaugg Joudrey’s #94 was damaged during hoisting and was unable to sail. Bruce Sampson’s #977 opted not to sail.

As in the past, demonstrating that food is an important part of a regatta, Mike, Jon and Joel Chambers put on their great ham sandwiches and macaroni salad lunch on Saturday. Heather and Stewart Fitz Gibbon put on a grilled lemon/lime chicken dinner on Saturday and a pale imitation of Marion’s He-man breakfast on Sunday morning. Hamburgers and hot dogs and trophies wrapped up the regatta at Sunday lunch. Our North Carolina contingent kept alive the tradition of costumes at Saturday dinner, appearing as characters from Sesame Street and Gilligan’s Island. Thanks to Bruce, Jo, Bill, Tom, Paula, Lenny and Teri for the entertainment!

Seven races were sailed, with the team of national champions Nate Ireland and Ben Stock narrowly edging out team Zaugg/Maldonado. Between the two teams, they won six of the seven races.

Many thanks to our Race Committee of PRO Cara Sanderson Bown and Bosun Mike Fulton, and club members who helped make the regatta successful – Amanda Stock, Joe Murr, Mark Gustafson, and Paul Denzinger.

A good time was had by all, and we look forward to welcoming the fleet back next year.

Stewart Fitz Gibbon