Alumni News
Homecoming Regatta 2008
by Mary Donohue
Eleven alumni sailors (and an equal number of current students) turned out for the Homecoming sail races on Sunday, October 5, 2008, despite postponement from the previous weekend by Hurricane Ike. The dark skies and prediction of 3-5 knot winds by Weather NOAA did not dampen the spirits of these sailors. Rob Crafa, Director for Waterfront Programs, and Blaine Pedlow, Head Sailing Coach, coordinated crew arrangements for the alumni to each have two cadets from the sailing program on board to rig the J 24's, and to join alumni racing in five mini-races.
The participants had an exciting time as the wind did come up to about 12-15 knots for the early afternoon races. The races were very close, with boats being points away from competitors.
Participants were greeted with bagels and coffee prior to the race. They enjoyed talking to Hoss Miller, previous President of the College. He raced for the second year in a row. The tables were decorated with framed photos from the 2007 Race, which were given to recipients at the end of the day. Following the races, there was a barbeque of chicken, steak, hot dogs and hamburgers on the dock. A good time was had by all hands.
It was fun being with the cadets on board the J 24's and getting to know them. Rob Crafa said that the cadets are doing well in intercollegiate races being held this fall ending the season ranked 8th in the country!
Save the Date 2010 Alumni Regatta, Saturday, September 25th
Todd Hiller '93 Wins Annapolis NOOD J/22 Class Annapolis resident and member of the SUNY Maritime College Class of 1993, Todd Hiller and his all female crew won the 2008 Sperry Topsider National Offshore One Design (NOOD) Regatta in Annapolis, Maryland held April 25-27. Having not sailed the his boat since winning the 2007 J/22 North Americans crewing for Greg Fisher last September, Mr. Hiller opened with a first place finish then added a pair of fourths on the first day. After taking the early lead in the J/22 class, the largest fleet of the Annapolis regatta with 38 entries, he and his crew never looked back.
For Hiller, racing with an all-female crew consisting of wife Lynda Hiller (bow), Lesley Cook (trimmer) and Casey Williams (trimmer), this was his first NOOD victory in nine attempts. In the end Hiller finished fourth or better in six of eight races. He acknowledged Warren Bischoff and Tom Carter of Annapolis Branch Office of RBC Wealth Management for their sponsorship, generous support and success. Hiller was quoted by the local Capital Gazette saying, "We're hitting on all cylinders and seem to be connecting the dots pretty well."
About NOOD Regattas
Created by Sailing World in 1988, NOOD (National Offshore One-Design) regattas attract close to 2,000 boats and more than 30,000 competitors and spectators annually. Each event in the series features three days of sailboat racing for one-design models from 20 to 70 feet in length. In addition to local sailors, sailing's top stars - including America's Cup and Olympic champions - are well-represented at the NOODs. Competitive sailors rate the NOODs as the top national event in each region of the country.
Alumni Sailing Regatta Returns with Much Excitement
Maritime College’s Homecoming 2007 had a special air of excitement as nearly four dozen alumni and friends participated in the rebirth of the Alumni Sailing Regatta. On a warm, beautiful Saturday in September with consistent 10 knot breeze sailors from as far away as California (Terry Canning ’77) and as close as City Island (Dick Sadler ’76) reunited for a little friendly competition.
Alumni in attendance included former College Sailor of the Year Gary Jobson ‘73, All Americans Dick Sadler ’76, David Starck ‘90, Marvin “Buddy” Duncan ’76, Frank Burkhardt ’90, Honorable Mention All American Joseph Starck ’90, and former college president Admiral Floyd “Hoss” Miller ’53. The regatta was coordinated by Assistant Waterfront Director Heath Moldveen who served as Principal Race Officer and Rio Gordon 1/c who served as chair of the Race Committee for the two division regatta utilizing the College’s 420’s and J24’s.
With sixteen 420’s on the starting line competition was fierce. Not taking any chances two of the four Starck brothers (David and Joe) in attendance arrived early to select their crew from the current sailing team before the other competitors even arrived. Even with Danielle Gamache 2/c, a recent competitor at a National Championship, David Starck ’90, who himself is a recent Pan Am Game Silver Medalist (Lightening Class), could not secure the top spot. That honor went to the Galllagher’s (Margaret ’82 and James ’82) who with showed everyone including their son Will 4/c, a current sailing team member, the value of teamwork.
In the big boats it was big talk that dominated the pre-regatta hype with the self-proclaimed “A Team” representing the Long Island Alumni Association (Admiral Miller ‘53, Harold Stumme ’65, Carmine Pizzariello ’70 , and Dave Nieri ’72) challenging all comers. Not to be out done the team of Andreas Schuster ’77, Terry Canning ’77, Mike Flood ’11 and Philip Woloszy showed the “A Team” its all about the sailing.
Judging by the festive attitude and commitment of attendees to all return next year with at least one other classmate the Alumni and Friends Regatta was a huge success. For information on how you can get involved next year contact Rob Crafa at 718-409-7460.
Results: 420 Division
Place Skipper Crew
1 James Gallagher ‘82 Margaret Gallagher ‘82
2 Tom Starck ‘96 Laura Wasson ‘11
3 David Starck ‘90 Danielle Gamache ‘09
4 Charlie Rahn ‘77 Ted Greene ‘11
5 Mark Barker ‘94 Wanda Lee ‘10
6 Joe Starck ‘90 Colleen Durkin ‘94
7 Dan Levin ‘75/Buddy Duncan ‘77 Carol Levin
8 Jim Starck ‘96 Lilly Gallo ‘09
9 Charlie McCammon ‘87 Michael Bistany ‘87
10 Frank Burkhardt ‘90 Meredith Manning ‘11
11 Brigitte (Wagner) Hoey ‘82 L;eigh (Aurricchio) Comeford ‘82
12 Gary Jobson ‘73 Karen Woodcock
13 Paul Zinger ’03? Amanda Bauza ‘11
Results: J24 Division
Place Team
1 Andreas Schuster’77, Terry Canning ’77, Philip Woloszy, Michael Flood ‘11
2 Nicholas Nastasi 1/c, Matt Brink ‘08, Dan Levin ’75, Reggie Rainard ‘08
3 Malcolm Milligan ’56, Thomas Puppa ‘85, Kinder Woodcock, Mary Donohue
4 “The Z Team” formerly “The A Team” Admiral Floyd “Hoss” Miller ’53, Harold Stumme ’65, Carmine Pizzariello ’70, Dave Nieri ‘72
David Starck ’90 Brings Home Silver from Pan Am Games
David Starck ’90, an All American Sailor while at Maritime continues his winning ways on the water this time at the XV Pan American Games in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. Battling tough competition and uncooperative weather conditions the Lightning crew of David Starck (Buffalo, N.Y.), Bill Faude (Chicago, Ill.) and Jody Starck (Buffalo, N.Y.) earned a silver medal, only five overall points behind the gold medal winner, Chile.
Sailors endured delayed and cancelled races throughout the week, due to rain and a lack of breeze. Unfortunately the weather for Saturday's Medal Races was more of the same: drizzle and light air. But that didn't quell the excellent competition. "We did a lot of waiting for the weather to calm or pass, but the actual races were high quality," said David Starck. "We were patient and waited for prime sailing conditions and the staff out at the venue could not have been better."
The XV Pan American Games feature 5,654 athletes from 42 nations competing in 37 sports. The sailing competition took place at the Glória Marina in the Guanabara Bay. The Pan American Games are held every four years, historically one year before the Olympic Games. The first Pan American Games were held in 1951 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. For more information, please visit the event web site: www.rio2007.org.br. To learn more about the American team, please visit: www.ussailing.org/olympics/PanAm
New York Maritime well represented at Newport to Bermuda Race
From start to finish New York Maritime was well represented at the 100th Anniversary Newport to Bermuda Race. Gary Jobson '73, ESPN sailing commentator, and former two time collegiate sailor of the year was named the honorary chairman of the 100th anniversary race spoke at the Captain’s Meeting and navigated Kodiak II. Also at the Captain’s Meeting was Joe Sienkiewicz '80, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration Meteorologist. Joe gave the weather safety briefing for the skippers.
The first boat to finish in the Newport to Bermuda Race, Bella Mente, was flawlessly navigated by Dirk Johnson '82. The boat also had Maritime alumni Scott Vogel '81 and Matt Flood '81 aboard. For his efforts Dirk was awarded the Schooner Mistress Prize as navigator for the first boat to finish. This was not his first Bermuda race win.
Alumni to the Rescue!
During the week of May 22-26, two SUNY Maritime grads came to the aid of a fellow alumnus in his quest to make it to China in 2008. Andrew Parish ‘93 and Todd Hiller ‘93 provided home grown local knowledge and resources to Erik Lidecis ‘94 and his crew for the Western Hemisphere Championships raced in the Star class.
Erik finished an impressive 5th place out of a stacked fleet of past Olympic Gold Medalists, America's Cup and World Champions of 45+ boats. Erik is ever so slightly creeping his way up the leader board to make the US Sailing Team and head west of the Pacific Rim.
Andrew and Todd's effort didn't come without a hitch and that was to have Erik sail with them on Todd Hiller's J22 in the local fleet racing on that Thursday night. It was a nice reunion of old college sailing buddies spending a little time together to catch up on times and tell stories, some more believable than others. Erik is an Engineering Manager for Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, California, while Andrew is a Delaware River Pilot. Todd is a naval architect with the U.S. Coast Guard's Engineering Logistics Center in Baltimore, Maryland.
Do you have a story or photograph about Maritime Alumni you would like to share? Please e-mail us, we would love to hear from you.
