CAZENOVIA — On Father’s Day weekend (June 18-19), more than 40 Lightning sailors from around New York State gathered at Willow Bank Yacht Club (WBYC) in Cazenovia for the annual Caz Flash Bash regatta.
WBYC has hosted the two-day event for over 30 years; this year, the regatta also served as the Central New York District Championship for the Lightning Fleet.
Sixteen boats registered, but, due to rough conditions, only 11 competed.
According to Adam Walburger, WBYC Commodore and Lightning Fleet 164 crew member, a cold front brought in some of the strongest winds of the season, with an average wind speed of over 20 miles per hour and gusts as high as 35 miles per hour.
“After several delays, the regatta was able to run four action packed races, with plenty of close tacks, a few contacts on the water, planning downwind under spinnakers, and wet and exhausted sailors at the end of the day,” said Walburger. “To comfort the competitors, the WBYC Lightning Fleet hosted a BBQ dinner from Ray Brothers, and plenty of food, drinks, and stories of the day were shared.”
Due to stronger sustained winds on Sunday, the second day of races was canceled.
According to Walburger, Saturday saw stiff competition between visiting skippers Jimmy Barnash, of Rochester, and John Newell, also of Rochester, who traded first and second place finishes throughout the regatta. Ultimately, Barnash secured the victory with a total of five points (three first place finishes and one second place finish), and Newell took second with seven points. WBYC skippers Tom King and Clay Murphy earned third and fifth place finishes, respectively.
More than 15 WBYC members, including several past and present commodores, competed in the regatta.
The full results are available at lightningclass.org.
The Lightning is a 19-foot, three person craft originally designed by Sparkman & Stephens in 1938 as both a competitive racing dinghy and an affordable family day-sailor. The Lightning has since evolved into one of the most popular and competitive one-design racing classes in the world.
“The Lightning is raced around the world, with substantial activity in Europe, South America and Canada,” said Walburger.
With 14 active skippers, WBYC’s Lightning Fleet 164 is one of the club’s largest sailing fleets. The fleet hosts regular point races on Sundays at 2 p.m., as well as two major regattas.
This year, WBYC member Jeff Shaw will represent the club at the Lightning North American Championship on Sept. 14-18 at Sayville Yacht Club in Blue Point, NY. On Aug. 4-7, WBYC member and past commodore Federico Meira will compete at the Lightning Master’s North American Championship at Cedar Point Yacht Club in Westport, CT.
“[The Master’s] is open to all skippers who have reached their 55th birthday and have a minimum combined age of skipper and crew of 130 years,” said Meira. “Having reached this past May my 75th birthday, we will be competing for the Great Grand Master Trophy given to the highest-placing Master skipper who has reached his or her 75th birthday. After having sailed Lightnings since I was 14 years old and participated in many World, North American, and South American championship regattas, this one will be very special. I will be sailing with my stepdaughter Julie Wright and Adam Walburger, [who are both] as excited and ready to do their best to bring a Master’s trophy to our club.”
WBYC runs a series of learn-to-sail programs for children and adults interested in experiencing both recreational and competitive sailing. The club is currently taking applications for additional family members. Contact [email protected] for further information.
To learn more about WBYC, visit willowbankyc.com.
