Rendezvous and Sabre Regatta, June, 2001
The crews of fifteen LISSA boats met at Dodson's in Stonington and enjoyed a festive Dark 'n Stormy cocktail party sponsored by LISSA & Boatworks on June 21, 2001. Discussion of tactics for the sail to Newport the following day centered on three schemes: a) leave at 5:30 am for a fair tide, b) leave at 9:30 am for a managable tide (and a lot more sleep!) and c) leave at 11:30 for fair tide after Point Judith. (The crew of the sole SabreLine yacht voted for noon!) Dense morning fog deterred neither the two boats making the 5:30 am departure (crews were later found napping in Newport!) nor the bulk of the fleet at 9:30; fog merely strengthened the resolve of the sole contrarian (sleepy?) sailor to depart at 11:30. Naturally the breeze was due east forcing everyone to motorsail, but, as the morning wore on, the wind clocked a bit south giving everyone an exuberant sail around Point Judith and up into Newport.
Space was tight at the Newport Yachting Center but with patience and the assistance of the helpful staff, 45 Sabre yachts were rafted at the docks. Friday evening featured boat gawking, story swapping and general comraderie as old friends were met and new friends made.
The damp and continued foggy weather on Saturday did not prevent running a race in which LISSA members did very well. Jim & Suleika Drinane's 1981 Sabre 30 Scoundrel, the only yacht to fly a spinnaker, took first by default in Class A (Spinnaker) but also, starting with the larger boats in Class B, gave Sabre's newest speedsters a run for the money, finishing 3rd overall and winning the new LISSA cup, a permanent trophy awarded to the best finish by a LISSA member at the regatta. Commodore John Linnartz presented the cup, given to LISSA by Roger Hewson, at the awards ceremony Saturday evening.
Sunday morning's blueberry pancake breakfast gave everyone a final chance to socialize before the boats headed off in various directions, some LISSA members continuing to cruise on from Newport. All in all, a successful sailing weekend and lots of fun.
LISAA Participants
- Burton Alter Bear
- Bob Bennett and Sue Montana Habanero
- Alvaro & Janet Diaz La Serena
- Gordon Donley SabreDance
- Jim & Suleika Drinane Scoundrel
- Bill Fasnacht and Betsy Bowman After Eight
- Harry & Millie Gonzalez Mila
- Leon & Jeanne Hecht Seabiscuit II
- Curtis & Susan Koster Carpathia
- John & Vicki Linnartz Peridot
- Bernard & Anne Peskin Forever AnnBer
- Jeff & Diane Sloane Perseverance
- Mike Spruill and Ricki Silveria Hot & Spicy
- Peter & Barbara Tacy Petrel
- Jeff Wentz and Rusty Kransky Aquila
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Bentley Collins presents the Class A trophy to Jim Drinane. |
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Jim's trophy for 3rd overall. |
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John Linnartz presents the LISAA cup to Jim & Suleika. |
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The trusty crew of Scoundrel. |