Riverside Yacht Club Optimist Invitational

On Saturday, July 11, Riverside Yacht Club hosted its Annual Optimist Regatta. 77 sailors representing eight yacht clubs in New York and Connecticut participated.

Harbor start began at 10:20 am with about 5 to 7 knots of breeze out of the north. Once sailors left the harbor, winds came at 5 to 7 knots from the south and stayed there for the rest of the day.

The race committee delivered five Red Fleet, four Blue Fleet and three White Fleet races, before concluding racing at 2:45 PM with sailors returning safely.

RYC presented awards to top five finishers in each fleet. Junior Officers Jake Schinto, Peter Dunay, Taylor Schinto and Chris Lukens helped former Commodore Spike Richey present awards.

Michelle Lahrkamp of American Yacht Club won Red Fleet first place, Charles Roseberry of Larchmont Yacht Club second, Jaume Pujadas of LYC third, Lise Powers of AYC fourth and Audrey Fung of AYC fifth.

Leyton Borcherding of Belle Haven won Blue Fleet first place, Benjamin Schinto of RYC second, Vanessa Lahrkamp of AYC third, Jacqueline Quirke of AYC fourth, and Katherine McNamara of AYC fifth.

Wyatt Bischoff of LYC won White Fleet first place, Asher Beck of RYC second, Benjamin Sheppard of RYC third, Clark Morris of Larchmont Shore Club fourth and Frederik Parkin of RYC fifth.

Samantha Mosconi of AYC won the sportsmanship award.

Of fifteen prizes, AYC sailors won six, RYC four, LYC three, and Larchmont Shore Club and Belle Haven sailors each won one prize.

Vineyard Vines, The Dinghy Locker, The Boat Locker and Chilly Bear donated items that race participants won in the regatta raffle.

Thanks to Riverside Yacht Club volunteers and staff who delivered the Optimist Regatta, including co-chairs Alexandra Ornstein and Elizabeth Schinto; the Race Committee, led by Principal Race Officer Mark Parry; Chief Safety Officer, John Schinto; safety boat crews; the registration team; and boat handlers.

– Contribution from Elizabeth Schinto, Riverside Yacht Club

The Optimist Invitational hosted at Riverside Yacht Club is a qualifying event for JSA Optimist Championships for Area B participants.

View results here.

See photos from Riverside Yacht Club here.