The Sunfish North American Women’s Championship Regatta finished after a weekend of varied and extreme conditions faced by 50 racers from every corner of the United States. All racing was done on Great South Bay just south of this year’s host, The Dinghy Shop of Amityville.
The Sunfish is a 14-foot sailboat with a single sail, and its manufacture dates back to the early 1950s. The affordability of the class makes it extremely popular, and scores of championship events are held during the year across the United States.
After a practice day on Friday, Fire Island Water Taxi provided their newest vessel, “FireFly,” to shuttle the competitors to a dinner at Gilgo Beach.
Racing started on Saturday, Sept. 7, amid various conditions that began the day with gusty winds and rain, sunny skies, and a lively 14-knot breeze from the south. Seven races were completed during a day of shifty conditions and course changes.
Sunday, Sept. 8, in contrast, was cool and breezy. The northwesterly wind lasted throughout the day, challenging the sailors during the upwind legs, but provided big smiles on spray-drenched faces during the fast downwind runs. Thankfully, the sailors’ 30-minute lunch break on the water was timed perfectly to avoid a political rally of festooned powerboats “waking” their way east to Robert Moses Bridge.
After completing all 12 races, Gail Heausler from Davis Island Yacht Club, Tampa,FL captured first place. She was closely followed by second-place finisher Taylor Eastman from Hyannis Port Yacht Club in Cape Cod, MA. The remaining podium spot went to Kimmy Jackson of Bantam Lake Yacht Club located in Morris, CT. The full results can be found at www.regattanetwork.com.
