A Tradition Re-Born...Southampton Fall Regatta
By Ched Proctor

For many years it was, nearly, a tradition to trek out to eastern Long Island and join the Lightning gang at the Southampton Yacht Club for either the ACC's, PanAm trials or their annual Fall Regatta. This year, after a nearly 5 year hiatus, Tim Rumph, and the fleet at SYC, brought the annual Southampton Fall Regatta back to life!

On September 22-23, 11 teams took the drive down the LIE to be greeted by a new clubhouse, excellent hospitality and 7 terrific races in classic "south shore Long Island" breezes.
Saturday morning greeted the 33 sailors with a wind direction of 150-160 degrees. The breeze started out around 6 knts and gradually built to 12-14 as the day progressed which allowed for 5 W/L/W races. While some might suggest (myself included) that it would have been really nice to add a 4th leg and finish downwind the 3 legs kept the racing close. In regards to the racing our team felt that, generally, in the first 4 races the left side of the beat had better pressure and angle. As we found ourselves a bit anxious at the starts and were called back to restart 3 times we had to make some large comebacks against some very tight competition.

As the teams reached the hoists we were greeted with beverages and chili. As I mentioned, the hospitality was fantastic! Then came the food. If you have never been to an Indian Clam Bake you must do this regatta! How it's done is a full bushel of clams are carefully laid out, hinges up, in a brick square. The clams are packed in very tightly. The clams are then covered with a pile of brush, twigs, and kindling several feet high which is then lit ablaze. This not only creates a magnificent flash bonfire but quickly creates hot embers which rest on the clams cooking them in their own juices. Since the clams are packed in tight the shells can't open up and a half hour later, viola', delicious, hot cooked clams!! Add to this foil cooked monkfish that was "to die for" and, truth be told, even if there was no racing, this regatta would be worth attending just for all the food!!

Sunday dawned with well fed teams found a new wind direction after the passing of an early fall cold front. The breeze, at between 340 and 350, blew a delightful 15- 20 and since Shinnecock Bay is so well protected the water was very flat which created just beautiful sailing conditions. As on Saturday, the left side seemed to pay off and Tommy and his team figured it out quickly rounding the 1st weather mark just behind Regatta Chair Tim Rumph. Tommy snuck by Tim downwind and went on to win the race. The last race we managed to cross to the left half way up the beat while the rest of the fleet went right. The left paid (again) and we were fortunate to get ourselves a "horizon job" for the last race of the series.

Congratulations to Tommy Allen with, his niece, Kelly Crane and Chris Schon who sailed consistently well to take home to prize. Frank Mergenthaler, sailing his brand new boat, got it figured out early and finished 2nd while our team rounded out the top 3. It was great to see John Halsey sailing his family's old Newport Lightning #11021. They sailed the boat great and gave us fits in a few races.

Tim has already said that the SYC has locked in the same weekend next year to restart the tradition of an annual Fall Regatta so put it on your calendar early and get out to eastern Long Island for some perfect early fall sailing!

See you next year in Southampton!