Two hurricanes passing offshore earlier in the week threatened to disrupt the 44th Chesapeake Bay ILCA Masters Championship, but both storms turned north just in time to leave Fishing Bay Yacht Club with a picture-perfect fall weekend- clear skies, mild temperatures, and no sign of tropical weather. Unfortunately, the storms also took the wind with them, leaving sailors to contend with light air both days.

This year’s event introduced separate starts for ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 fleets, drawing 41 competitors from across the region. After some last-minute class changes prompted by the forecast, the final tally was 27 ILCA 7s and 14 ILCA 6s.

Friday was devoted to arrivals, setup, and practice sails, with many sailors pitching tents and settling in for the weekend. In the galley, Alain Vincey, Michel Jaland, and John Gilmore worked together to prepare Saturday evening’s dinner - a highlight of the event for many returning competitors.

Saturday dawned calm, with glassy water across Fishing Bay. The race committee quickly hoisted the postponement flag ashore and waited for signs of breeze. Forecast models hinted at a late-day window, so the committee prepared to race as late as daylight would allow, checking navigation lights and timing dinner service around potential race returns.

By early afternoon, the wind began to fill, first from the west, then swinging south and finally settling in from the east around 4-6 knots. At 1:30 p.m., the AP flag came down, and by 2:30, the first races were underway just west of Stove Point in the Piankatank River.

The ILCA 7 fleet started first, sailing a short one-lap race. Defending champion Dave Chapin opened strong with a win, followed by Rob Whittemore (Fishing Bay Yacht Club) in second and James Jacob (Severn Sailing Association) in third.

In the ILCA 6s, Deniz Cirivello (Severn Sailing Association) took the first bullet ahead of Keith Barron (Ocala Sailing Club) and Jeff Moore (Severn Sailing Association).

A longer second race followed as the breeze held. Alex Jacob led the ILCA 7s wire-to-wire with Chapin and Mark Sanford (Marsh Creek Sailing Club) close behind. In the ILCA 6s, Bill Lawson (SSA) claimed the win, with Cirivello second and Moore again in third.

As the sun dipped lower and wind began to soften, the race committee opted for one final one-lap race before calling it a day. This time, Rob Whittemore took the win in the ILCA 7s, followed by Sanford and Chapin. Cirivello closed out a strong day by winning again in the ILCA 6s, ahead of Lawson and Natalie Burls (Severn Sailing Association). Racing wrapped up around 4:30 p.m., and boats were ashore by 5, just in time for the evening meal.

Saturday’s dinner was a team effort, highlighted by a story from Alain about his longtime friend Michel Jaland, who first introduced him to sailing years ago when the two were chefs in Bermuda, a fitting tale for a weekend built around camaraderie as much as competition.

Sunday brought the calm conditions everyone feared. After several hours of waiting and watching for the faintest sign of breeze, the race committee called it a day, and the regatta concluded with awards ashore.

A huge thanks goes to PRO Rick Klein and his dedicated team of volunteers for their patience and skill in making the most of a challenging forecast- and to all the sailors who kept the Chesapeake Bay ILCA Masters tradition alive for another year.

Despite the light wind, the weekend delivered what the ILCA Masters are best known for - good company, good food, and good sailing when the wind cooperates.

Race Committee: Rick Klein, David Lee, Sharon Bauer, Donna Alvis, Becky Dale, Cathy Clark, Mike Dale, David Clark, Miles Booth, Peter Dutnell, Alex Alvis, Joe Roos, Paul Almany, Brad Miller

Safety: Britt Drake, Sabri Sisman

Food & Social: Alain Vincey, Michel Jaland, John Gilmour, Erin Jacob, Brook Jacob, Sabri Sisman, Britt Drake, Janice Hardin, Jess Deutsch

ILCA-7

• 1st Overall, First Great Grand Master - Dave Chapin - Lake Eustis Sailing Club
• 1st Master - Mark Sanford - Marsh Creek Sailing Club
• 1st Grand Master - Mike Colbert - Severn Sailing Association
• 1st Apprentice Master - Jon Deutsch - Fishing Bay Yacht Club

ILCA-6

• 1st Great Grand Master - Bill Lawson - Severn Sailing Association
• 1st Master, 1st Woman - Deniz Cirivello - Severn Sailing Association
• 1st Grand Master - Jeff Moore - Severn Sailing Association
• 1st Apprentice Master - Natalie Burls - Severn Sailing Association

Results
Pictures – Paul Almany
Pictures – Peter Dutnell