One Hundred Eleventh Race Week
AND
EIGHTY THIRD ANNUAL JUNIOR REGATTA
Monday July 13, Tuesday July 14, and Wednesday July 15, 2009
The Larchmont Junior Race Week is one of the most anticipated regattas of the season. The huge amount of competitors, the coaches, the spectators, and overall feel of the regatta is unlike any other. Not only is the sailing level at an all time high within the JSA, but also the LYC regatta is open to outsiders to take a peek into what the JSA has to offer. It's a regatta full of tradition and not to mention one of the oldest in the JSA, 83 years running! Now that's history!
Every sailor from Pequot to Port Washington talks about the regatta for months ahead of time. The racing should be the first topic of conversation, but ironically the Larchmont Dance is always the opening statement. It is one of the social highlights of the sailing season. The sailors get one night to relax, kick up their heels and just let loose without having to worry about their current scores. The pandemonium is transformed into a dance party almost as crazy as a New York nightclub. The live band can be heard from streets over, and they definitely love an encore.
Even though the LYC junior race week seems to go off without a hitch, there are a lot of people making sure it's smooth sailing, literally! The excellent Race Committee, ran by Jed Kelly, couldn't get any better. These people are definitely professionals. Everywhere you look you can see someone helping to lend a hand. Not to mention the large amount of host families it takes to make the housing possible. A warm welcome always accompanies a cozy place to sleep. A home away from home makes most sailors never wanting to leave!
Besides the many great components that go into the regatta, what about the friends you make a long the way? The one thing I can remember most about Larchmont is the people who I met when I was younger. Each summer we would reunite like time had never gone by. Eventually it does, but from time to time I still see old friends, and always laugh about the many times we spent getting ready for the infamous LYC Dance!
So to the lucky sailors who have been racing this week, may the wind be in your sails, and the memories be in your heart! Best of luck and don't forget to say THANK YOU to the many people involved in making this, in my opinion, one of the best regattas I have ever sailed in.
Comments