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aturday Oriental Dinghy Club’s PHRF Fleet held its annual Long Distance Race. Racers sailed an 18.9 nm course using government marks going as far up river as Adams Creek “AC1” and downriver as far as Gum Thicket “6”.

Eleven boats competed in 3 divisions. Top honors, for each division, went to:

• Old Glory Joe Mattea, Skipper
• Water Phantom Charlie Nelson, Skipper
• Nevermore Brian Brown, Skipper

This weekend. May 17-18, Oriental is the host venue for a Southeast Lightning District event. About 20 sailors are expected. Lightnings are a popular One Design class, with over 15,000 built. Active Lightning Class fleets compete in 15 countries. These are sleek, fast 19’ boats that, typically carry 3 crew and weigh 900lbs.

The Lightning Regatta is the first of many key sailing events coming to our area. The Sunfish Masters comes to Oriental May 31 – June 1, and then the Sunfish International World Championships at Camp Seagull October 8-18, 2014.

Posted Monday May 12, 2014 by Keith N. Smith