Sweet Sailing at the Ice Cream Cup: Optimist Sailors Shine at Centerport Yacht Club
written by Megan Cahill-Assenza
On Friday, August 1, under cloudy skies and strong morning winds, Centerport Yacht Club hosted its annual Ice Cream Cup, welcoming 35 Optimist sailors from seven clubs: Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, Head of the Bay Club, Sea Cliff Yacht Club, Port Washington Yacht Club, Shelter Island Yacht Club, Cold Spring Harbor Beach Club, and Hempstead Harbor Club.
With the breeze gusting early in the day, harbor start was delayed until 1:00 PM. The sailors made the most of the morning—Centerport kept the energy up with lawn games, and sailors spent time laughing and playing with their coaches while waiting for the wind to settle.
Once out on the water, the Red, White, and Blue fleets completed five solid races, taking full advantage of the breezy afternoon conditions. The Green Fleet sailors—many of whom are still new to racing—rose to the challenge of stronger winds and handled it like champs, gaining experience and confidence with every tack.
The Centerport Yacht Club White Fleet dominated the leaderboard, taking 1st and 2nd place finishes and thrilling the home crowd. The Seawanhaka Blue Fleet secured a strong showing, capturing 1st and 2nd place honors in their division. In the Red Fleet, Seawanhaka took 1st place, with Centerport coming in 2nd. The Green Fleet saw another Centerport sweep, with sailors finishing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, showcasing the depth of talent in the club’s younger sailors. 
After racing, the moment everyone had been waiting for finally arrived: ice cream! Judging by the smiles (and sticky hands), some sailors may have enjoyed the ice cream even more than the sailing—a true testament to the fun, welcoming spirit of the Ice Cream Cup.
Year after year, this regatta continues to be a favorite on the junior sailing calendar, delivering a perfect mix of competition, community, and a sweet treat to top it all off.
