Report and Commentary:

Carolina Moth Regatta Report

When St.Michaels struck ten, CYC was a beehive of activity. Boats and trailers coming down the drive, masts coming to attention, dollies heading for the water, old friends meeting new friends, checking out the newcomers, different folks with different boats, from all over the North South and East, all with one thought, claiming the Joel Van Sant Memorial trophy and finishing on top.

When St. Michaels struck 11:00 all haled to the docks for the skipper's meeting.

When the bells tolled noon, the blast from the starting signal echoed across the harbor as fifteen Classic Moth Boats leaped across the line determined to make the first mark first. And what a glorious day for a race. Beautiful Carolina Yacht Club, sailing just off the historic Charleston battery, mild to warm temps, winds out of the SW starting at 7 and building to 15 by end-of –day with a flat sea; all favorable conditions rolled into one perfect day of sailing.

After five races it was Joe Bousquet in #48 Try-Umph claiming victory honors. But this was not a “walk-in-the-park win by no means. Local sailor Randall Swan, knowing the Charleston waters like the back of his hand, masterfully sailing the Ted Causey built Energizer, consistently jumped the pack at the start and rounded the final mark in clear air only to be overtaken by Joe and Try-umph at the finish. The excitement meter was off the scale.

Then there was the blinding speed of Walt Collins and his mystery Shelley sporting Photon's sail. We've been hearing about the mystery Shelley for years, Walt finally put her in the water in Charleston, and folks it was worth the wait. Walt's mystery Shelley is beautifully finished, the hull is trued to perfection, and she moves through the water like a shark, and she proved herself by finishing a close third. Everyone was clamoring to buy her, but it was local sailor extraordinaire Lewis Hay who will take her home and teach her to say “y'all”.

But that's not all, the women folk proved they needed no handicap. Nancy Swan finished fourth by consistently finishing in the top four race after race. Susan Bousquet proved she can battle with the best. Then there is thirteen year old Sarah Sass, our Junior Champ who hung in there with the big boys all five races. Watch out Joe, she is gonna eat your lunch next year.

And that's only part of the story. George Bailey and friend Frank Murphy brought #2941 “Lumpy” and took fourth in the fourth race, Jerry Carter, Henry Cope, Walter Pringle who helped folks get their boats in and out of the water, Matt Bazzle who contributed some pictures, and you know it just would be a Moth regatta without Greg Duncan and Carolina Choo Choo.

At the grand finale Millie Williams, Granddaughter of Capt. Joel Van Sant presented Joe Bousquet with the “Joel Van Sant Memorial Trophy”, one that her grandfather won years ago. The trophy will be proudly displayed at the Carolina Yacht Club.