Atlantic Coast Championship

Surf City, June 6-7, 2015. Peter Commette and Megan Place win with five bullets in six races. Report by Kim Calnan.

The 2015 Snipe Atlantic Coast Championship returned to Surf City Yacht Club June 6-7 and the 15 teams were greeted on Friday with a welcome BBQ at Lee and Karla Griffith’s house.

Saturday morning brought rain and light winds. Racing was postponed ashore – giving the sailors the opportunity to catch up with friends (and a few even enjoyed a group nap). By noon the breeze had filled in, and it eventually built to 12-15 knots out of the northeast and the race committee was able to run four races. Peter Commette and crew Megan Place started the regatta off strong with four straight bullets. Racing was tight among the rest of the fleet with Arthur Blodgett/Kim Calnan in second and Eduardo Mintzias/Andre Guaragna in third—but the two teams were within one point of each other.

After four windy races, the teams were treated to a pork loin feast back at the Griffith’s shore house. Twenty pork loins were cooked to perfection as the sailors discussed racing that day.

One other unique aspect of the Surf City regatta is that all the sailors stayed in the Griffith “compound”. The tradition is first come, first served for beds, but there was enough floor space for everyone. That made it possible to combine the usual regatta atmosphere with that of a house party.

Sunday’s conditions were lighter with 5-8 out of the NNE for the final two races. Commette and Place came out strong again scoring another 1st place, but Gavin and Holly O’Hare broke that streak by winning the final race. Mintzias and Guaragna stayed consistent and claimed second overall, while Carol Cronin/Kim Couranz fought their way to a third place trophy.

A secret committee met this year to come up with the recipients for the new Golden Gilded Plunger Award. Mintzias and Guaragna were reluctant to receive the award but the committee was unanimous in their voting for the “double duty” team. Details are available upon request about how one competes for this coveted new trophy.

The winner of the current year’s ACCs decides the location for the following year. Commette and Place agreed that the 2016 event should return to Surf City, because “it’s better to have pork loins then no loins at all!”

1. Peter Commette & Megan Place, 5

2. Eduardo Mintzias & Andre Guaragna, 15

3. Carol Cronin & Kim Couranz, 18

… full results …

Final Results