Well, first the Lake Sunapee Star Fleet hosted a fantastic North American Championship. Then, right on its tail, they host another fabulous regatta—their annual Lake Sunapee Open. The off-water activities and fabulous food of Lake Sunapee Yacht Club have spoiled us rotten. Friday night we were treated to a delicious seafood buffet and on Saturday night we enjoyed the renowned steak dinner, cooked by the local star sailors.

Hazy, hot, humid, and no wind were the weather conditions on Saturday, so the racing was canceled. All was not lost as John Mac and myself hiked up a local mountain to get a little exercise and then enjoyed the hospitably of our host, Sam Rowse, and we went swimming. Many of the other sailors stayed at the club and relaxed in the bright Sun and clear, clean water of beautiful Lake Sunapee.

On Sunday morning the lake looked as still and smooth as a mirror and some were dubious that we would race at all. But then a nice little breeze started coming from the south and the race committee sent us out. The first race started in a very light southerly with crews to leeward. As we sailed up the first leg the breeze continued to build and we started hiking. At the weather mark, Peter Hall of the Montreal, Canadian fleet, was in the lead, we were second, and John Chiarella was third. We were fortunate to get a little shift on the second beat and rounded in front of Peter, and then we held our position to the finish line.

The second race started in puffy 8 to 12 knots of southerly wind and again Peter Hall called the first beat perfectly and lead at the weather mark, with Andy Ivey second, and John Mac and me in third. As we got to the leeward mark Andy did a really nice job getting inside of Peter and rounding first, with Hall second, and us third. The order stayed the same to the weather mark, but on the run “Lil” Mac worked his downwind magic and managed to get by Hall. The final upwind to the finish was a little nerve racking as the breeze was shifty, Ivey was covering us, and we were trying to stay ahead of Hall. When we got to the finish line it was Ivey, MacCausland, Hall.

This was Peter Hall’s first time in a Star and he is going to make a nice addition to the 12th District. Peter is a past World Champion in both the Soling and Lighting Classes.

In fact, we are delighted to welcome the entire Montreal, Canadian fleet to the 12th District.