Annual regatta joins sailing community with local military

Can you picture yourself at the helm of a yacht, sailing into sunny skies, smooth seas and adventures of a lifetime?

About 50 Sailors, Soldiers, Marines and Coast Guardsmen had that chance this past weekend during the 56th Annual Navy Regatta.

It’s a weekend of fun, multi-class sailing, camaraderie and community partnership. The annual event began in 1962 and is made possible because of a partnership with the Corpus Christi Yacht Club, Bay Yacht Club and the military. It also features an entertaining Titanic Cup race and a Military Challenge.

On Saturday, CCYC and BYC vessels raced from the Corpus Christi Yacht Club downtown to Naval Air Station Corpus Christi’s basin at Sunfish Beach. Then, Sunday, military members took the helms as the yachts raced back to Corpus Christi in the Military Challenge Cup.

Saturday, prior to the start of the regatta, a brief memorial and moment of silence was held in remembrance of Teri Ficken who had lost her battle with cancer in July. Teri was an avid sailor, a longtime member of the sailing community and managed the annual Navy Regattas for the past 15 years.

Winners of the Military Cup Challenge are as follows:

All Sails

First place, Mike Blanton, of TW4, at the helm of Lickity Split.

Second, Chase Skoda, of VT-28, at the helm of Mojo.

Third, Daniel Woolsey, of Air Operations, at the helm of White Dragon.

Fourth, Jerrid Stotllemeyer, of VT-27, at the helm of Honey Badger.

Working Sails, 150 Class

First place, Robert Lutton, U.S. Army, at the helm of Foolhardy.

Second, Ben Weisberg and Devon Shinkle, of VT-28 at the helm of Brigadoon II.

Third, Sean Curtin, of CNATRA, at the helm of Windswept.

Fourth, Mike Pentaleri, of VT-27, at the helm of Wet Express.

Fifth, Hanna Hughes, of VT-28, at the helm of Makan Agin.

Richard Rincon, a member of the sailing community, said he has been in about 30 of these races. Not only does he enjoy sailing, but also introducing (military) Sailors to the sailing community.

For AC2 Daniel Woolsey this was his first Navy Regatta and more than likely won’t be his last as he took third place at the helm of White Dragon. ET2 Lauren JoslinDenny, of Ground Electronics, said this was her second regatta and has really enjoyed meeting everyone and has learned a lot.

MAC Jermaine Glover, who coordinated the Navy’s entries for the regatta said, “It’s a great opportunity to spend time with the community, sailing and unwinding together.”

The Titanic Cup challenge held Saturday afternoon brought three Marines challenging the reigning entry, Security’s “Here for the Stupid Stuff.” 1st Lts. Brandon Super, Marcus Cerrato and Joseph Janas, of Marine Aviation Training Support Group 22 sailed “Devils Doom” on a vessel they put together quickly. They fared well, but are already planning a better entry for next year.

Next year, challengers that can unseat Titanic Cup’s three-peat “Here for the Stupid Stuff” are welcome. Everyone is encouraged to get their crews together and start throwing out ideas to create an anything-that-can-float-but-a-boat. Race day will get here sooner than you think.