The Joe Manganello Memorial Regatta, the second event of the Narragansett Beer Eastern Area F18 Summer Series was held on June 7th and 8th, 2014 in Madison, Connecticut. This event has been held every year since Hobie Cat sailing legend Joe Manganello passed away. His memory is kept close to the heart of all that knew him, whether he taught them how to sail or for his jovial personality, he left a lasting impression on everyone he came across. Joe loved sailing so much that he devoted much of his life running a sailing school for the town of Madison which he named “Sharing the Wind Sailing”. After his passing, all of the boats, parts, and gear, most of which he purchased with his own money were donated to keep the sailing school going which is still going strong today.
Attending this year’s regatta were 12 F18s and 6 Open Class catamarans including Nacras, Hobies, and a Dart. Of the F18 Fleet, 4 teams learned to sail catamarans in Joe’s sailing school in Madison.
Conditions for Saturday was a gusty Northerly at 10-20 knots and very flat water, 5 races were sailed. Todd Riccardi and Brendon Scanlon connected all the shifts in the first race to win by a large margin and would repeat this performance in race 4 and 5 to finish the day in first.
Pete and John Guiliano sailed consistently, winning race 3 to finish the day in second, only 1 point out of first. Brooks Reed and Garth Fasano also sailed consistently to end up only one point out of 2nd.
Mike Easton and Tripp Burd who are always in the top spot at any regatta were just slightly off the pace while breaking in their new boat (Falcon). Even so they still managed to finish only 1 point from the podium.
Bob Merrick and Tyler Burd were sailing very well and would have been in contention for one of the top spots but in the third race nearly pitchpoled into the leeward mark, breaking their spinpole against the mark and forced them to retire for the rest of the day, no marks were harmed.
Apparently all the breeze was used up on Saturday as competitors arrived Sundayto a glassy Long Island Sound. The Race Committee sent the fleet out and one start was attempted. The fleet made it upwind fine, but upon rounding the windward mark the strong current stopped any forwards progress. The race was called off and that completed the event. Of course the seabreeze filled nicely an hour later.
This regatta is run completely by volunteers, all knew Joe and support the event because of his impact on their lives. Jamie Cook has been running the Race Committee for years and many of the parents of sailors aid in RC and beach duties. In addition, a great group of volunteers from the University of Connecticut Sailing Team help make this event possible every year.
Both days volunteers treated racers to a BBQ feast accompanied by Narragansett Beer, being early in the season racers were excited to try several new flavors such as their Summer Ale, Porter, Bohemian Pils, and most exciting the Del’s Summer Shandy!
Final Results:
1) Todd Riccardi / Brendon Scanlon 8 Points
2) Pete & John Guiliano
3) Brooks Reed / Garth Fasano 10 Points