2002 Yankee Duo

The Yankee Duo was sailed over the weekend of Oct 5, 6 on Town Cove in Orleans, Massachusetts. The very accommodating Orleans Yacht Club hosted the event for the second year, providing a skilled Race Committee with plenty of RC and rescue boat volunteers, and the use of their wonderful club house.

The Sherborn Yacht Club once more provided the organization and food for the event. After 30 years on the beach in Pleasant Bay, we are still exulting in the luxury of flush toilets, a well equipped kitchen, and even a fresh water hose to rinse your boat off.

Typical of a fall weekend on Cape Cod, we had plenty of wind. I mean plenty. Saturday dawned spitting a little rain and blowing 25+ out of the southwest. We managed 3 races before lunch, when the sun began showing through the clouds and the wind blasted more erratically as the front moved out to sea. An excellent lunch of clam chowder and build your own sandwiches was followed by 2 more races. The moderating wind convinced a couple more racers to rig their boats and head out.

Throughout the day, Drew Buttner and Bill Brangiforte battled it out, with Drew holding on to 3 firsts. In the last race of the day, Drew was over the start line early and had to restart. His brother Allen won the race with Drew playing catch up, managing a 3rd place despite his late start. His battles with Bill showed superb tactical maneuvers and were fun to watch, according to the RC. Could be a payback for Wequaquet, where Bill was 1 and Drew was 2...? Allen and Malcolm Dickinson were close on their heels, making up a group of 4 that frequently were well separated from the rest of the fleet.

Pos) Name	Loc	Sail #	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	Total
1) Drew Buttner	Somerville, MA	60085	1	1	1	2	(3)	5
2) Bill Brangiforte	Weymouth, MA	61299	(2)	2	2	1	2	7
3) Allen Buttner	Plymouth, MA	62500	(4)	4	3	4	1	12
4) Malcolm Dickinson	Old Greenwich, CT	52943	3	3	(4)	3	4	13
5) Doug Ambos	Sherborn, MA	76494	5	5	5	5	(DNF)	20
6) Rapid Buttner	Plymouth, MA	9102	(7)	7	7	6	5	25
7) Peter Barnes	Framingham, MA	44751	(DNS)	6	6	10	7	29
8) David Abel	Jamaica Plain, MA	78872	6	8	8	11	(DNF)	33
9) Gerhart Menzel	Simsbury, CT	34183	8	9	9	9	(DNF)	35
10) Roger Demler	Sherborn, MA	50999	(DNS)	DNS	DNS	8	6	40
11) Joan McVickar	Wayland, MA	46424	(DNS)	DNS	DNS	7	10	43
12) Brad Esthus	Attleboro, MA	78412	(DNF)	DNF	DNS	DNS	DNS	52

By tradition, the first 5 finishers received very nice hand made chowder bowls. Gerhart Menzel received the special 'Fantail' award, honoring his effort regardless of finish, and Peter Barnes received the 'Aged and Treacherous' award as the best finisher over the age of 59.

Sunday was a sunny day, cooler after the passage of the front, with the wind now flipping to 15+ kts out of the northeast. According to the Orleans YC regulars, this is the steadiest wind direction to have, coming down the long axis of the cove.

Steady as it was, the shifts were still there for the observant sailor to take advantage of, and Drew and Bill mixed it up more than the previous day with Allen, Malcolm, and Rapid. Drew "just couldn't let his father beat him" in the last race, and delivered 4 firsts with a 2nd for a throwout. Marty Rich and Lee Parks joined us on Sunday, taking advantage of the "separate regatta each day" format.

Pos) Name	Loc	Sail #	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	Total
1) Drew Buttner	Somerville, MA	60085	1	1	1	(2)	1	4
2) Bill Brangiforte	Weymouth, MA	61299	2	2	2	1	(3)	7
3) Allen Buttner	Plymouth, MA	62500	3	4	3	(5)	4	14
4) Malcolm Dickinson	Old Greenwich, CT	52943	(9)	3	4	3	5	15
5) Rapid Buttner	Plymouth, MA	9102	4	(7)	6	4	2	16
6) Marty Rich	South Orleans, MA	60616	5	6	(7)	6	7	24
7) Lee Parks	Newport, RI	5785	7	5	5	7	(8)	24
8) Doug Ambos	Sherborn, MA	76494	6	(8)	8	8	6	28
9) Gerhart Menzel	Simsbury, CT	34183	8	(9)	9	9	9	35

The first 5 finishers received handmade "dessert bowls" in the shape of a fish with a Sunfish sail on them (and pre-filled with candy). Gerhart Menzel received the "Aged and Treacherous" award on Sunday. Noting his effort yet lack of success, the RC awarded Doug Ambos the "Fantail" award.

Many thanks to Pat Cassell and Deb Barnet for the trophies, former RC chair Doug Cassell, now enjoying himself in a rescue boat, Roger Demler for organization, Barbara Ambos for the food, and many other Sherborn Yacht Club members for their help and participation.

And of course a big thanks to our hosts at the Orleans Yacht Club, especially Charlie Thompson and commodore Arnie Henson for their hospitality and a well run race committee.

Next year's regatta is already being planned for the last weekend in September, and we hope to get a return of the 25 - 30 boats that we were used to getting in Pleasant Bay. Next year, come on down and enjoy this great location.

Doug Ambos
76494