2002 Long Island Sunfish Championship

On September 21, 2002 the moderate southery winds crossed the Great South Bay stirring up its infamous chop.  Sailors from all over Long Island, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania gathered to what was promised to be a beautiful day with competitive racing in a very stong fleet.  The fleet consisted of past winners of Sunfish Regionals, top Worlds performers, champions of the World's Longest Sunfish Race around Shelter Island, up and coming Juniors, collegiate sailors and racers who were just starting to hone their skills.  However, one sailor rose to the top like someone on a mission.
     Early that morning sailors gathered in the parking lot of the Wet Pants Sailing Association, meeting and greeting each other, like only Sunfish sailors do.   Todd Klingler, fresh off a second place at the Masters Regional in Connecticut, showed off his prize "Feather-mates".  Mark May, former top Worlds Sailor, dusted off his Sunfish. After spending three weeks in Hawaii capturing the National Championship, Debbie Capozzi sailing for Old Dominion, came back to her old stomping grounds.  "All I want to do is beat Kenny Mockridge," stated the determined Capozzi.  Capozzi finished second this summer to Mockridge at the NYS Downstate regional.
     Five races were sailed in the moderate 15 knot winds, in chop that sometimes resembled a washing machine.  John Condon, 1st in the Around Shelter Island, was having an excellent regatta until he death rolled around the offset mark in the fouth race.  Something was heard mumbling out of the newly expecting father's mouth, but cannot be written here.  Michael Collins, who was second after the first two races sailed well enough to finish fifth.  Mark May sailed consistently, after not being in a Sunfish for a while, but had to eat a 28 after not rounding the offset mark.  He graciously retired from the race after he was told about the incident. Peter Jenkins, was having a good regatta, only to find the conditions a bit too much for his two masts, which he broke.   The sailing was great and Debbie Capozzi showed she was the best.
     The former Wet Pants Sailing teacher proved to be too tough.   Debbie Capozzi who said, "I love sailing here,"  showed her National Championship form as she always cleanly got off the line and patiently picked her way through the fleet.  Even when her start wasn't perfect, her boat handling and sailing was too much to handle.  She finished as this year's Long Island Sunfish Champion and first woman.  When all was said and done she threw out a 1st.     Daniel Hesse, also a teacher and member at Wet Pants, finished a strong second overall and was first Junior.  Todd Klingler, finished as first master and third overall.
     Overall 28 boats sailed in what turned out to be a great regatta.   Some people where heard saying because of the depth of the sailors it was better than a regional.  Ken Mockridge couldn't make this year's regatta, but it probably wouldn't have made a difference, as Debbie proved she was out on a mission.


Lee J. Montes
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