Lakewood’s McMahan Captures Top Shoe Regatta Award
Lakewood Yacht Club racer Robert McMahan captured the top award on his J/80 “Kaos” at this year’s Sea Lake Yacht Sales Shoe Regatta held over May 15-16 on Galveston Bay. This is given annually to the best racing boat in the most competitive class which was the J/80 fleet of seven boats. Over 65 boats from all over the Gulf Coast, including the Viper Class for the first time, raced three races on Sun., May 16. Races on Sat., May 15, were called due to inclement weather.
McMahan reported that winds on Sun. were light and spotty. “I think we did well in the race because we were so consistent, had a lot of patience, and worked well together as a crew,” he stated. “I must say that Forbes Durdin, another club member, on ‘Mojito’ sailed a really good regatta and kept us on our toes as did Bill Rose and his crew on ‘KICKS’ from the Galveston Bay Cruising Association.” Crewing for McMahan were his sister Carter Wimberly and her husband Layne, Terry Flynn, and McMahan’s fiance’ Laura Broeker.
McMahan’s name will go on the perpetual Shoe Race ships wheel which is on display in the club’s main lobby. The awards ceremony was held in the ballroom of Lakewood Yacht Club late Sunday afternoon with an attendance of over 100 racers. Past Commodore and sponsor coordinator Tony Wessendorff passed out complimentary Mount Gay Rum shirts and hats as they were the Silver Sponsor of the race. Additional sponsors included Banks Sails and Bay Access, a local not-for-profit organization that fosters amateur sailing on Galveston Bay.
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