This past Friday, October 25th, Nate Pettit, Matthias Chia, Julia, Hurley, Christina Atterbury, and I caravanned westward for the Nittany Lion Open hosted by Penn State.

After five and half hours of driving, we arrived at the Atterbury household in Johnston, PA. With open arms, we starving sailors embraced a feast of chicken and gravy replete with mashed potatoes, stuffing, spaghetti squash, and carrots (to stave off scurvy!). Full and thankful, we enjoyed playing board games and eating decadent homemade cookies before turning in for the night.

In the morning, we awoke to sub-30 degree temperatures. After driving to Lake Glendale, we braced ourselves for a windy, wet, and cold day.

The first A-division rotation brought breeze around 15 knots gusting to 20+ knots. In the first set, Christina and I finished 2nd and 1st in the ten boat fleet.

The B-division rotation proved challenging for Matthias and Julia, who, after capsizing around the gybe mark and enjoying an extended swim in frigid water, were thankful to find dry clothes waiting onshore.

The second A-division saw Nate Pettit skipper a 3rd place finish as I crewed for him. After completing the race, which saw five out of the ten boats sailing upright, Penn State ended the regatta early.

A huge thank you goes to the Atterbury family for housing us; for preparing us dinner, breakfast, and lunch; and for making us feel welcome! And, of course, thank you to the Penn sailors who, despite difficult and frustrating conditions, were among the few to say “no” when asked if they wanted to call the regatta!

Fair winds,

Joe Farned ’17