2023 Capital Cup

The 2023 Capital Cup was a fantastic regatta. It was exactly what it was suppose to be. Loads of Fun!

The weather could not have been better. Sunny and a high of 83 degrees. The wind was light at times, but built as the races progressed. The wind was perfect in the later races. The course was set up as the standard configuration (two marks at the windward end and a gate at the leeward end). The racing was really fun, as not many fouls were called by the 14 skippers. A very well attended event as always!

The eight races started well for the Northern Maryland Model Yacht Club (NMMYC), as Bart won the first race followed by his team mate Chris Carpenter. Despite a less than average showing in the first half, Thomas Swartz from team Menno Haven (MHMYC) gave us a preview of what was about to come after lunch, as he easily won race #2. Mike Cavanaugh (MHMYC) took second and Susie Mullally (MHMYC) took third, as Menno Haven sweep the top three spots. Alan Krusinger (NMMYC) won race 3 and Kyle Russell from the Cumberland Valley/ Soloman Island United Team (CVSIU) won race 4. Lunch was the halfway point and Chris Carpenter (NMMYC) had done the best so far even though he hadn't won a single race.

Having feasted like kings, the fleet returned to the water as happy as could be. The wind had picked up and the break had given time for some good comradery between the clubs. Thomas Swartz started his second half domination in race number five, as he took his second victory of the day. NMMYC members Bart and Mari Spina took 2nd and 3rd. Mari followed up in race 6 with a victory, followed by Thomas and Rob Dutton (CVSIU). In the second to last race (race 7), Thomas won by a quarter lap, followed by Bart and Mike Cavanaugh. The team scores between Menno Haven and Northern Maryland were close going into the final race and the Capital Cup was still up for grabs, Mike Cavanaugh (MHMYC) really came through with his first win of the day and teammate Thomas took second, followed by Mari. Thomas and Mari both had great second halves of the regatta, but it must be noted that Thomas finished the last four races with two 1st and two 2nds.

When the top three sailor's scores for each team were tabulated it was Menno Haven that came out on top, besting Northern Maryland by only 3 points and the Cumberland/Solomon United Team by 13 points. Congratulations Team Menno Haven!