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2015

got of to a start on Thursday with dozens of sailors taking part in an annual tradition, the Instead of Football Regatta.

One of the organizers, Tom Lathrop, provides this account:

Weather wind forecasts of near zero miles per hour for New Year’s Day 2015 were not very promising for sailboats on the Neuse River. Even so, about 40 larger sailboats, 10 Sunfish, 2 kayaks and a few powerboats gathered at Oriental #1 channel mark for the start of Oriental’s annual alternative to television’s football indulgence. In fact, there was enough pleasant wind to sail across the 2 ½ mile expanse of the Neuse River and return, as well as beautiful and warming sunshine which was good to revel in after so many recent dull and cloudy days.

Instead of Football Regatta featured larger boats, and Sunfish. (Photo: Tom Lathrop)

Some crews were apprehensive at the sight of several Sunfish flying large skull and crossbones flags, as well as firing canons and rockets. Although sailing out from Teach’s point, these descendants of Blackbeard apparently meant no harm as no boats were boarded and no one was forced to walk the plank.

As usual, boats spread out over the river before finally reaching Adam’s Creek marker and turning for home. rather than the usual longer course of going to Garbacon mark and back to Oriental. </em

The Instead of Football Regatta 2015.(Photo: Tom Lathrop)

The Race Committee made an announcement that only boats shorter than 40 feet in length could take advantage of the shortened course and this was quickly challenged by Gerry Crowley, as 41-foot Ri Ra was the only boat affected by the ruling and Ri Ra’s waterline was only 28 feet in length. Gerry’s objections were withdrawn when he realized that this meant that he had a small bottom, which he was apparently unwilling to acknowledge. An internal investigation is ongoing.

America’s Cup action this was not, but we were all happy to be out sailing and welcoming the New Year to Oriental in our own way after surviving the Dragon Run on New Year’s Eve.

At three o’clock, Instead of Football celebrants packed M & M’s Restaurant for the mandatory Skipper’s Meeting to retell their exploits, hoist a brew to the New Year and find out who had won.

Winners of the race were determined in our well-established and scientifically valid method of drawing names from a bowl. Third place was won by Carl and Catherine Baxley on Sea Cloud, although there was murmuring in the crowd that their boat had neither sails nor masts and should be disqualified on that basis. Such objections were quickly overruled by broadminded race organizers and presentations continued.

Second place went to Art and Elise Tierney and even louder boos greeted the announcement as Art was accused of conflict of interests as he was drawing the names and calling them out. Further discord was avoided by quickly calling out the first place winners, Bill and Phyllis Chaplik on Juniata that no one had objections to.

With nerves calmed and attitudes adjusted, the Instead of Football celebrants were now able to face the 2015 sailing season with renewed enthusiasm.