Sunfish Race Results!

 Another beautiful day here at Joe's Pond - beautiful sunshine, nice wind, on the cool side, but perfect for working outside, hiking, biking, rowing (who does that anymore??) or whatever else you are up for. 

Yesterday was not such a great day, but our intrepid sailors went forth to compete, regardless of dark clouds, gusty winds, and pelting rain. Here is Susan Bouchard's report:

The winds for the first Sunfish Sailboat race for 2024 were unpredictable varying between gusty winds and white caps to dead air in certain areas on the pond. It must be frustrating for the sailors but they all seemed to have a good time!   The weather held out until the end of the race but then it rained buckets as all the sailors had to return home!  I know the committee boat got soaked!!!  

In the Single Division, Jack LaGue (left) took first place with Jay Chatot and Lee Erdmann right behind him.  

For the Double Division, Joe Cassani with Jackson Norkeveck (right) crossed the finish line in front of David Porter and his son Henry.

 Here are the results

 Single Division

1) Jack LaGue

2) Jay Chatot

3) Lee Erdmann

4) Jules Chatot

5) Rob Stewart

 Double Division

1) Joe Cassani with Jackson Norkeveck

2) David Porter with Henry Porter

The next Sunfish Sailboat race is on Sunday, July 28

 

Here are photos of others in Sunday's race:

On the left, Lee Erdmann; at the right, David Porter and his son, Henry.  

Below is Jules Chatot with his distinctive black sail on the left, and opposite, his dad, Jay Chatot with his all-white sail, and below is Rob Stewart with a colorful graduated red-orange to white sail. 

Sailing has been a long-time tradition on Joe's Pond. Before there were motor boats, campers around the pond took great pride in their sailboats, some building their own as winter projects that they proudly brought to the pond and used regularly, sometimes offering rides (for a price, of course) during social gatherings on Flint's Point.

Sailing vessels were not as colorful as today's, but they were quite sleek and "seaworthy", depending on the skill of the sailor, of course. The first sailboat to grace the waters of Joe's Pond was probably that of Capt. James S. Thompson's "The Helen", named for his wife, and launched in 1872. Other early sailors were brothers Henry and John Beck, around 1897,  and Arthur L. Stevens. There was also Mr. Moulton - who, according to an article in the St. Johnsbury Caledonian in the summer of 1902, was reported to have provided a bit of excitement when he capsized his boat and had to be rescued. (From the West Danville History book, West Danville, Vermont, Then and Now, 1781 to 2021, published in 2021.)

Anyone is welcome to join the Sunfish races - all you have to do is let Susan Bouchard know and she will help get you started. Sometimes there are boats available but no sailors, so even if you don't own a Sunfish, you might still be able to participate. Any of the veteran sailors will be happy to assist you with instructions or suggestions, so don't hesitate to jump in and join the fun. I am amazed there are no women sailing recently. Years ago there used to be an occasional "Powderpuff" race, but also, several women raced regularly along with the men. Patty Powell Nichols was a contender when she was still a teenager; and I believe possibly Eileen Morrison and maybe Ginny Johnson  - I'm sure there were others. Sailors Diane Rossi and Dotty Noyes may have joined the race a few years ago - I'm not sure, but I will ask them. So, get out there, ladies, and show the guys how it's done!