Peter Cusick and Drew Plominski Win Legendary Star Bedford Pitcher by One Point in Close Racing

The 2015 Bedford Pitcher was hosted at Cedar Point Yacht Club over a beautiful weekend on Long Island Sound this past September 12 and 13. The CPYC race committee did a fantastic job running 4 races on Saturday and two on Sunday for a regatta total of six.

Saturday began with 2 races in a shifty, light Southeasterly breeze. The day closed with two more races in a strong Southerly breeze with great surfing conditions. The fleet posted two races on Sunday in light Southwesterly conditions.

The racing featured a third generation of Cedar Point YC star sailors. Richie Gordon Junior (17), this year’s 2015 US Laser Youth Champion, skippered Saturday with his dad and his younger brother Nielsen (14) took over the helm on Sunday. Both Gordon’s posted impressive finishes and will be a great addition to the Star class in the years to come. The younger Gordon’s grandfather won the Bedford Pitcher in back to back years during the 1960’s.

On Sunday, the team of David Burger and Ed Kuryluk posted their first bullet across the line since recently re-joining the class. In all, the weekend featured continual close racing between all competitors with Pete Cusick and Drew Plominsky edging out Bill Watson and Roger Sharp for final honors. For those who have yet to sail the Bedford Pitcher, it’s a terrific venue for Star sailing and an opportunity to compete for one of the most beautiful and oldest trophies in the class – please join us next year!

On Saturday evening the fleet ‘roasted’ retiring star sailor Thorsten “Thorny” Cook. Many stories where told and even more toasts delivered! Special recognition was given to Thorny’s long time crew and team mate, Mike Young, for having the patience and good humored temperament to survive with Admiral Cook for so many years! We will miss Thorny Cook and the team of Cook and Young greatly. We hope Mike will still be available to crew.

As a parting salute to Thorny’s 59 years of Star sailing, the fleet voted to ‘stand down’ and allow Thorny to start a minute ahead on the last race of the series. Cook and Young took the start at the one minute mark in great style, and in typical Thorny fashion, showed ‘no quarter’ to the rest of the fleet starting a minute behind.