2016 Senior and Masters Sabot Nationals
July 26, 2016
NEWPORT BEACH — Balboa Yacht Club hosted the annual Senior and Masters Naples Sabot Nationals the weekend of June 11-12 with racing held in Newport Harbor. The winds cooperated providing some challenging competition.
Racers represented 10 different yacht clubs, from San Diego to Santa Barbara. The Senior Division (over 18 years of age) included 10 racers, with Chuck Sinks of San Diego Yacht Club placing first. In second was Mark Gaudio of Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club. Third was Danny North, San Diego YC. Balboa YC’s Charles Ullman placed fourth.
The largest class was the Masters Division for racers over 40 years of age with 16 racers. Placing first was Scott Finkboner, Mission Bay Yacht Club. Second was Balboa YC’s Mike Bartell. In third was Jeff Lenhart, also from Mission Bay YC. In fourth place was Fred Stevens of Alamitos Bay Yacht Club while Betty Becker, of San Diego YC, placed fifth.
The Clydesdale Division for racers weighing over 220 pounds was first raced in 2010. There were three entries this year. Mike Pinckney, of Balboa YC and Bahia Corinthian YC, will have his name added to the Perpetual trophy for that division. INSA Trophies were presented on June 12 by INSA Commodore Jeff Hatter, with the help of INSA secretary Danielle Richards. Balboa YC’s Commodore Doug West welcomed the racers and congratulated the winners.
There were three entries for the Grand Masters (over 65 years of age). They completed three races on June 11, followed by refreshments and trophy presentation by Balboa YC’s Rear Commodore Bill Commodore. Merideth Blair of San Diego YC placed first and will have her name engraved on the Perpetual Trophy.
This championship regatta for adults who race the 8-foot-long Naples Sabot began in 1972 and has been raced every year since then, rotating throughout Southern California harbors. Mission Bay Yacht Club will host the 2017 edition of the series. Racers were all members of the International Naples Sabot Association, the organizing group.
Visit naples-sabot.org for more information.
