Barrington Opti Regatta 2026

Author: PRO Sam Sylvester

Congratulations to the Barrington Yacht Club on organizing such a successful Opti Championship and Green Fleet One-Day Regatta! The enthusiasm, energy, and attention to detail were evident from the first sailors' meeting through the final awards presentation. It was a pleasure to be part of such a terrific event.

Special kudos go to Abigail Tutt, Matthew Parker, Ann Hoff and Peter Hess for the countless hours they devoted to planning the regatta and recruiting an outstanding group of volunteers. Their efforts brought together a dedicated team that delivered a memorable day, both on and off the water.

As the Principal Race Officer for the Championship Fleet, I had the privilege of working with an exceptional group of volunteers aboard the signal boat. Although many were new to race management, their sailing experience and comfort on the water enabled them to learn quickly and work together seamlessly throughout the day. I was also fortunate to have our BYC Commodore, Becky Chwalk, and former board member Charlie Stoddard serving as mark boat operators. Their teamwork, positive attitudes, and willingness to jump in wherever needed played a major role in the day's success.

Together, the signal boat and mark boat crews completed five races on Narragansett Bay, just south of Flasher 1, in a steadily building southwest breeze of 14–16 knots. The moderate sea state, bright sunshine, and clear blue skies provided what sailors like to call "champagne conditions"—a spectacular day on the water for both the Championship and Green Fleet competitors.

The windward-leeward races lasted approximately 25–30 minutes and produced exciting, competitive sailing. As the breeze freshened during the afternoon, several Championship Fleet sailors experienced the occasional capsize. Rather than becoming discouraged, they demonstrated determination and resilience by righting their boats, climbing back aboard, and continuing to race. It was inspiring to watch these young sailors embrace the challenges of the day with confidence and enthusiasm.

Back ashore, the celebration continued. The top sailors in the Red, White, and Blue Fleets were recognized with NBYA plaques for first, second, and third place. Beyond the podium finishes, special awards were presented to sailors from both the Championship and Green Fleets whose sportsmanship, perseverance, positive attitude, and efforts on and off the water exemplified the very best of junior sailing. Additional recognition was given to competitors who showed remarkable improvement throughout the day, reinforcing that success is measured not only by where you finish, but by how much you learn and grow.

One of the day's highlights was seeing candy magically appear on the race course throughout the afternoon. Those sweet treats kept energy levels high, brought plenty of smiles, and added a fun touch that the sailors will undoubtedly remember for years to come.

The regatta concluded with pizza, cold drinks, and an awards ceremony where sailors, parents, coaches, and volunteers gathered to celebrate a fantastic day of racing and camaraderie. It was a fitting end to an event that showcased not only excellent competition but also the tremendous community spirit that makes junior sailing so special.

Thank you again, Paige and NBYA, for your leadership and hard work in bringing this regatta together. Regattas like this simply don't happen without months of planning and the dedication of countless volunteers. The smiles on the sailors' faces throughout the day—and especially during the awards ceremony—were the greatest measure of the event's success.

I look forward to helping make it even bigger and better next year!

Warm regards,

Sam Sylvester
Principal Race Officer, Championship Fleet

Results:

 Overall:
1st - Quentin Swanson, BSCRP / CNSJ
2nd - Sage Dovbniak, EBSF / CCSC
3rd - Hadley Slusarz, JK Sailing / BCRP

White Fleet:
1st - Charlie George, CYC
2nd - Perry Marks, BCRP
3rd - Shep Emrick, Ida Lewis / BCRP

Blue Fleet:
1st - Quentin Swanson
2nd - Sage Dovbniak
3rd - Charlie Dunbar, CYC

Red Fleet:
1st - Hadley Slusarz
2nd - Gabriel Sullivan, BCRP
3rd - Keira Oakley, Wickford Yacht Club

Top Girl Sailor: Sage Dovbniak