The following message is from Sandy Sanstrom. We all know how much time he puts in (actually we don’t) for Pettipaug, year in and year out. I mentioned at the awards ceremony there is nothing at PYC that has not been improved through his efforts. The hours he has contributed are unknown and, actually, unthinkable. And then this spring he took on the additional job of organizing the Paul Risseeuw Junior Regatta. By far the largest annual sailing event at our club. Think about trying to coordinate all the people thanked below. They are all good workers, but without a conductor, it would not have happened. We all owe Sandy our thanks for pulling it all together!

================

Dear PYC Membership

The weather cooperated on Saturday to bring blue sky and 20 mph gusts with 15mph average winds. It turned out to be too much for the Opti Green Fleet but they gave it a gallant try and bravely sailed their tiny craft into the breech. We had 61 sailors (plus their coaches, parents, and grandparents!) turn out for the 2025 Paul Risseeuw Junior Regatta and the two working race courses got in an impressive amount of racing. My aunt Sis would have had me hand writing a personal note to all the people who deserve our thanks, but I'm a barbarian. I also want everyone to know who the players are and so please except this email as my best effort.

MC Scow fleet 99 shopped and grilled for the post-race cook out. Thanks to Steve Dix, Chuck Poindexter, Dirk Plas, and Jordan Murphy.

Toby Doyle and Chuck Poindexter lent us their wonderful Parkers for RC boats and also served as Race Committee members. This really gave us a professional look and feel and a comfortable platform to work from.

420 fleet Race Committee chair Mark Kondracky was supported by Roman Daniels, and Chuck Poindexter. Roman won the best volunteer award because of his exceptional penmanship and his dismal air travel to get here in time to serve.

Red, White, and Blue Opti / Bic O'pen Race Committee chair Bob Cashman was supported by John Becker, Toby Doyle, Priscilla Robinson, and John Kihm.

Heather Cassidy and Laura Ryan were the beating heart of registration, tee shirt distribution, scoring, and general sanity oversight. Hope my Navy/cowboy coffee didn't kill anyone.

Amy Pullin set up the day by a great season of the Jr. program direction, boat prep, and instruction/instructor training.

John Becker spent countless hours this summer repairing and maintaining the sailing craft and too many other things to list.

The instructors who helped rig, move, and look after boats and their sailors. Coach on the water, dry tears, pat backs, and be pals and mentors:

James, Peter, Stephanie, Grace, Mark, and Big Steve. Stephanie won the regatta "Best Coach" award, (hard to choose) but by the very large vocal response confirmed a good choice.

Safety boat owners and drivers, Tim and Laura Ryan, Amy and John Walsh, Ann and Dave Courcy, and Peter and Alison Charbonnier. 

Steve Dix for bringing his pontoon boat and getting folks close to the racing.

Kathryn Ryan for supplying years of notes and records, human sounding board, moral support, Green Fleet race committee co-anchor.

Ann Courcy and Kathryn Ryan for putting together the Sailors for the Seas presentation and better trash control/recycling.

Priscilla Robinson who got lunch for the volunteers, oversaw facility prep, found green flying discs, and ordered the trophies.

Mischa van Berkel who put together the NOR and race instructions.

Steve Cassidy and Dave Wemett (watermelon dissection) and others who directed auto traffic and parking.

Everyone who did launch ramp over-site, this could be a nuclear level disaster! Intercontinental ballistic tsunami disaster.

Rosie Willis for being a bright spot in my day. Lindsay Poindexter who is just a hoot.

Mary Guidotti, the Cotton Candy Lady, not as easy as it looks, especially when there are 100 kids who want it NOW!

All the sailors and their families who participated, you give us purpose!

Bob Cashman who liaised with other clubs, answered questions, sent many emails, made me do things on time, chaired a race committee, made a proper design for the tee shirt, owns his own flags, and kept my head above water. 

The end of the day cleanup crew, you know who you are! You are the BEST!

Thank you all, Sandy Sanstrom

If I missed you forgive me, you know I love you!