1999 World's Longest Sunfish Race Around Shelter Island

 

Report by Joe Sullivan

Todd Klingler of Narrasketuck Y.C., Amityville, Long Island, and thirteen others smashed the course record of 3 hours and 30 minutes set by Dick Heinl in 1989.  The new record of the approximately 25 mile distance around Shelter Island, New York, is 3 hours 23 minutes and 25 seconds.  A forecast of possible thunderstorms reduced the registrants to 30 boats, one of the smallest fleets in years, but those who participated experienced a great race and had a great day for sailing.  Winds were consistent 10-12 knots, initially from the northwest and shifting to the southwest on schedule later in the afternoon.  Overcast skies and a cloud layer protected the sailors from the sun as they circumnavigated Shelter Island in a clockwise direction.

 

Sixth place finisher Anne Patin was the Top Female for the second straight year.  Unfortunately, last year’s winner Sean Sullivan experienced an equipment breakdown two minutes before the start and was unable to compete. A more detailed description will be available in Windward Leg.

The results:

 

Place   Sailor              Affiliation                     Hrs.-Min.-Sec.

 

 1      Todd Klingler       Narrasketuck Y.C.               3-23-25

 2      Paul Nannig         Old Cove Y.C.                   3-24-17

 3      Bill Betts III      Smoke Rise Y.C.                 3-24-55

 4      Dick Heinl          Seawanaka Place Y.S.            3-25-06

 5      Dick Abbene         Seawanaka Place Y.S.            3-25-26

 6      Anne Patin          Sayville Y.C./Old Cove Y.C.     3-25-30

 7      Bart Hale           Southold Y.C.                   3-25-40

 8      Joe Sullivan        Southold Y.C.                   3-26-10

 9      John Condon         Mattituck Y.C.                  3-26-12

10      Patrick Kenny       Southold Y.C.                   3-26-49

11      Jon Suter           Old Cove Y.C.                   3-27-24

12      Andrew Gregg        Southold Y.C.                   3-27-43

13      Bill Betts          Smoke Rise Y.C.                 3-28-40

14      Dave Daly           Southold Y.C.                   3-28-41

15      Greg Spicer         Southold Y.C.                   3-30-52

16      Jack Spicer         Southold Y.C.                   3-31-15

17      Ed deReeder         Cutchogue L.I.                  3-31-53

18      Tracy Brown         Southold Y.C.                   3-38-02

19      Joe Flotteron       Southold Y.C.                   3-41-16

20      Richard Cato        Mattituck Y.C.                  3-42-09

21      Eric Desbonnet      Center Moriches L.I.            3-42-53

22      Scott Heinl         Seawanaka Place Y.S.            3-45-10

23      Shane Sullivan      Southold Y.C.                   3-48-55

24      Bill Cato           Mattituck Y.C.                  3-49-27

25      Kathy Campbell &    Southold Y.C.                   4-11-34

        Joyce McKenzie

26      Ivo Lekich          Southold Y.C.                   4-17-48

27      Pam Zmijewski       East Haddon CT                  4-31-16

28      Fred Pati           Wantagh L.I.                    4-33-28

29      Darcie Weiner       Marlborough CT                  4-34-35