The Third Annual JBT Regatta and Auction Is a record breaker, raises over $82,000

GILFORD — The Third Annual JBT Regatta and Auction for the benefit of The Cure Starts Now, presented by that Winnipesaukee Yacht Club, was a resounding success. A record 31 boats participated in four classes and over $82,000 was raised through silent and public auctions, donations, and gifts to help fight diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas and other childhood cancers.

The event was held Saturday, July 16, and featured ideal sailing weather with a well-attended post-race cookout at the yacht club. Paul Warnick performed at the post-race/pre-auction cookout, and the weather was perfect.

Several families representing their local chapters of The Cure Starts Now foundation were in attendance, including Keith and Brooke Desserich of the Ohio Chapter and founders of The Cure Starts Now. They participated in memory of their daughter Elana. John and Lynn Whittington represented the Indiana Chapter in memory of their son Peyton, and Al Bellarose and his family were present, representing the Southern New Hampshire Chapter in memory of McKenzie Lowe. Al also won the $1,600 50/50 raffle and elected to donate his $800 winnings back to the cause.

A special award, presented annually by the WYC to an altruistic spirit who encompasses the strength and courage to navigate through the challenges of life was given to Larry Routhier. Event Chairman Jesse Thompson presented the award and said of Routhier, "This year's recipient is a distinguished member of the WYC and, simply put, just a wonderful man. His smile is infectious and his willingness to help others in unbridled. Needless to say, the word "NO" is not is his vocabulary. He is always willing to get involved and eager to help whoever, in whatever way possible." Routhier is well known in Gilford for his civic involvement and works on behalf of the community.

Casey Nickerson of Gilford, sailing Argo II,I was the winner of the 8 boat J-80 class. He took the prize after a close race with Pressure, sailed by his sons, Guy and Warner. Mike Curtin, sailing Mas Gostosa, was third. Nickerson was also the overall race winner. The overall winner is awarded to the participant who is first to finish based on the reverse start format. Prizes were also awarded to the top three racers in each of four divisions.

Fifteen year old Seth Maxwell was the winner of the four boat Spinnaker Racing Division, sailing a Sonar (cleverly named So-gnar) for the Lake Winnipesaukee Sailing Association, where he and his crew are sailing instructors. Ben Crosby, another LWSA instructor, sailed his family's 30 foot catamaran Black Bear into second and Al Posnack in his L-16 Whimsey, rounded out the top three in this class.

The cruisers were also broken out into two divisions. In all classes, the boats were classified by size and design so that they were evenly matched. In the smaller boat Cruising B division, Rob Johnson, sailing in his Sea Sprite Isle of Sky with his wife, Catherine, and son, Drew, won by a large margin over second place finisher Jerry Slagle in his C&C 26. Tom Sullivan, sailing Hi-Ho, was third. This was the largest fleet in the race with 10 boats.

The really big boats battled it out in the 8 boat Cruising A division, won by Bob and Donna Garland on Haleakala. Keith Spalding was next on Pain Killer and Brenner Fuller's Fireworks rounded out the top three. Most of the boats in this division were also battling for supremacy in the LWSA Cruiser/Racer series which was combined with the JBT race.

The Winnipesaukee Yacht Club is proud to support The Cure Starts Now, and urges people to check out their website, www.thecurestartsnow.org ,for more information.

JBT Regatta Results 2016

Total Boats 31

Overall Winner-Casey Nickerson, Argo III

J-80 class:

1. Argo III (Casey Nickerson)

2. Pressure (Guy Nickerson)

3. Gostosa (Conor Hayes/Mike Curtin)

4. Over the Edge (Jesse Thompson)

5. He's Baaack (Bob Knowles)

6. Mistress (Jeff Rabinowitz)

7. Jolly Mon (Jon Rochlis/Anne LaVin)

8. Schatz (Al Herte)

Spinnaker Racing Class:

1. So Gnar (Seth Maxwell)

2. Black Bear (Ben Crosby)

3. Whimsey (Al Posnack)

4. Ninkasi (Sara Laroux)

Cruising A Class:

1. Haleakala (Bob and Donna Garland)

2. Pain Killer (Keith Spaulding)

3. Fireworks (Brenner Fuller)

4. Claddagh (Jay Norden)

5. Next Best Thing

6. Sugar Mountain

7. Szep Lany (Christopher Stevens)

8. Chez Mate

Cruising B Class:

1. Isle of Sky (Rob Johnson)

2. HMS Slagle (Gerry Slagle)

3. Hi-Ho (Sullivan)

4. Tackless (Scott Nolan)

5. Air Express (Charley Boucher/Rick Wilson)

6. Mingo (Dick Christopher)

7. Boat (Chris Weinmann)

8. Nantucket Bound (Chuck Moretti)

9. Kia Ora II (Gary Brauns)

10. Windsong II (Nick Callahan)

11. Anticipation (Don Parsons)-D/N/S

JBT Event Chairman Jesse Thompson and the crew of Over the Edge heading back to their mooring after a great afternoon of sailboat racing. Crew members are Ryan Murphy, driver; Jesse Thompson, right, and Chris Degangi, left. Crew member Andrew Spofford took the picture. (Courtesy photo)