Story and Photo by Art Petrosemolo
Bernard and Andres Friel, defending Monmouth Boat Club champions, capped a successful sailing season during the Oct. 11-12 weekend, winning the Flying Scot Class New York-New Jersey District Championships sailed at Monmouth Beach Club.
The Friels, winners of MBC’s Fall Series as well as the spring and summer evening series, also won the Mother’s Day Regatta and had top three finishes in the Full Moon and Labor Day events.
The pair won the first two races in the district championship on Saturday, Oct. 11, and added four top four finishes in the final four races to win the event by four points over Larry and Eileen Nociolo, Fair Haven, and five over Thom Lee and Melissa Pater, Middletown.
Principal race officer John Luard, who won the district title in 2011 and 2012, battled inclement weather on Saturday and a disappearing breeze on Sunday to set lengthy windward-leeward courses for the 15 boats from Monmouth Boat Club and area clubs. Saturday winds were 10-15 mph while Sunday breezes faded from 8 mph at the 11 a.m. start.
Six races were sailed over two days with one “throw-out” allowing for a five race scoring. The Friels recorded consistent 1-1-3-3-4 finishes for 12 points. The Nociolos has 16 points with 2-4-7-1-2 finishes. Lee and Pater had a slow start Saturday with 8-5-2 finishes but won both races Sunday for third place with 17 points.
Marc Gordon, Atlantic Highlands, sailing with Phil Cardelfe, Fair Haven, finished fourth with 18 points followed by Dan Vought, Rumson, 21 points, sailing with daughters Samantha and Alexandra.
Monmouth Boat Club’s fall sailing season ended Sunday, Oct. 19, with the Last Chance Regatta for all fleets.
