With less ceremony, Cape-to-Cape Challenge is a go

With a little less fanfare, the Cape-to-Cape Challenge XII sailboat race from Lewes to Cape May, N.J., took place Aug. 8. Due to the COVID-19 health crisis, the traditional post-race banquet and awards ceremony were canceled, and boats did not dock overnight at either port.

The race, between Lewes Yacht Club and Corinthian Yacht Club, was delayed two hours because of the lack of wind. At the scheduled 11 a.m. start in Lewes, there wasn't enough wind for the boats to even get across the starting line.

Michelle Bland, principal race officer, made the call to delay the start knowing the wind typically picks up after noon on the Delaware Bay.

In the spinnaker class, Corinthian’s Carlos, skippered by Tom Lord, finished first across the bay followed by Corinthian’s Max Power, skippered by Patricia Santelle.

Lewes sailor and former LYC Commodore Nick Carter and Lord founded the Cape-to-Cape race.

The first Lewes finisher was Balance, captained by Richard Beebe, in third place. Delgato, with Carter at the helm, was sixth.

Also from Lewes Yacht Club, Allegro, skippered by James Wagamon, finished eighth; Osprey, captained by John Biddle, was ninth; Mahal, skippered by John Nelson, was 10th; and Iris, skippered by Hattie Warwick-Smith, was 11th.

In the non-spinnaker class, Solaia, captained by Daniel Murphy of Corinthian Yacht Club, was first. LYC's Delilah, skippered by Heath Gehrke, was fourth.

In years past, the two clubs have also raced on Fridays with accumulated points added to their finish points the following day. That part of the event was canceled this year. However, Lewes sailors took part in the first Lewes Cup, which was won by Carter and Delgato. Shredder, skippered by Nate Landis, was second, and Iris, skippered by Warwick-Smith, was third.

Cape-to-Cape XII results:

Spinnaker class: 1. Carlos, Tom Lord, CYC; 2. Max Power, Patricia Santelle, CYC; 3. Balance, Richard Beebe, LYC; 4. Dead Baby Bird, Avery White, CYC; 5. Jay Bob, Jay Corcoran, CYC; 6. Delgato, Nick Carter, LYC; 7. Mini Max, Patricia/Zachery, Schulze/York, CYC; 8. Allegro, James Wagamon; LYC; 9. Osprey, John Biddle, LYC; 10. Mahal, John Nelson, LYC; 11. Iris, Hattie Warwick-Smith, LYC.

Non-spinnaker class: 1. Solaia, Daniel Murphy, CYC; 2. Second Wind, John Barney, CYC; 3. Salty Sunset, John Wilsey, CYC; 4. Delilah, Heath Gehrke, LYC.