It's Friday March 29, 2024
September 2, 2019
Rubber chicken hunting in Greens Creek. By boat. In the middle of a regatta.The wind is light up in the creeks, but that’s why they call it a challenge. This is the twenty-sixth year for the Greens Creek Challenge, an unsanctioned race that draws boats of all kinds.
Students from Little Washington School of Sailing came out to test their skills.Grace Evans’ front lawn usually plays host to the event, with boats launching from the Oriental Marine Wildlife Ramp. This year, the regatta moved to Bow to Stern Boating; the wildlife ramp saw heavy use from Labor Day boaters.
Bob Austin and Larry Summers are regulars at the regatta, sailing a double gaff-rigged 18’ Sharpie.Beth Michne, along with Doug Carmichael, was in charge of the event. She said she couldn’t have pulled it off without help from her volunteers. In addition to Bow to Stern providing the meeting and launch space, local businesses The Bean provided morning coffee and The Silos provided cubans for lunch. Beth provided the homemade cookies.
The start is on the open water side og the bridge. Sailors begin outside the creeks and race to a mark upwind, then head back under the bridge deep into Greens Creek.On the water volunteers – manning the signal boats and chase boats – were Jim Edwards, Todd Cox, Gordon Kellogg, Joe Valinoti, Don Munn, Doug Carmichael, and Dan Giro.
The crew of the Black Skimmer make it look easy and show why they won Best Overall.On shore, Mark Fields made sure everyone found their boat and Nelda Coats handled check-in and registration.
Awards
- Winner of the Sunfish Class – George Seachrist
- Winner of the 420/FJ Class – Samuel Macron
- Winner Overall – Richard Johnson, Wayfarer
- Youngest Skipper – John Hinchey – 15 years old
- Chicken Finder – Sarah Childs and Sophia Boyd
Leaving the line: a Narrasketuck, a Wayfarer, a Laser, a 420, and a Sunfish.Sarah Childs and Sophia Boyd found the hidden chicken attached to a marker in the creek.There were a lot of spectators, especially the four-legged kind, out on Labor Day weekend.Sunfish.Olivia (no last name given) sailed a laser. She and a few others from NC State had some car trouble, but still made it out in time to catch a second start.George Midyette maneuvers under the boom after rounding the mark.The Wayfarer in Greens Creek.[page]
The medals for Sunfish, Laser, and Best Overall.George Midyette checks the time, waits for the race to begin.Meanwhile, on the Narrasketuck, it’s time for a snack.The men of the Narrasketuck Tuxedo duck under the boom. Last year, they lost a rudder and had bow out. This year, they finished both races with all parts intact.George Seachrist moves to the high side of his Sunfish.Richard Johnson and crew wear the same expression – they’re going to just miss brushing the mark.Chicken wranglers Sophia and Sarah counterbalance their FJ.