Last Sunday turned out to be a gloomy and misty day for the Choptank Heritage Skipjack Race, but sailors were undaunted. The Ida May from Deal Island owned by Gordon Gladden had a glorious run for first place with Capt. Shawn Ridley.

The all-female crew on the Nathan of Dorchester finished second.

Strategic sailing by Capt. Michele Drostin and her tactician Cathy Schmidt led to a last-minute tack across the finish line. They edged out Messenger from Onancock.

This was the first time Nathan has placed in her home race for many years.

The crew of other local ladies included: Jean Knauer, Mary Handley, Pat Johnson, Maureen Smith, Julie Schoch, Renee North, Julia Strong, Kim Stevenson and Mary Angela Martin. 

The Committee Boat, the local buy-boat Dudley, owned by Woody Labat, acted to anchor the start and finish lines.

Buoys – from Bill Clyde and placed by Peter Doolan with his Egg Harbor – marked the highly visible course to Dickinson Bay and back.

Weather was foggy, but the boats and crews enjoyed the spa treatment and fair winds generated by Tropical Storm Ophelia.

Information provided courtesy of Patricia Johnson.