It Takes Teamwork

During a blustery July weekend and hazy skies filled with Canadian wildfire smoke, three Ensigns from Thames Yacht Club – Russ Carr on Swoose, Eleanor Mariani on Runnin Down A Dream, and Eric Jones on Teamwork – raced in the 2026 Ensign Regions II & III Championship in Niantic July 18-19.

With a fleet of over 12 Ensigns, Jones, a longtime TYC member and his crew aboard Teamwork, mastered the challenging conditions to capture first place.

The regatta tested every crew on the course, with strong winds and demanding conditions throughout the weekend.

“It was heavy air, and we were the only boat sailing with a crew of three,” Jones said. “The breeze was up all weekend, so we spent most of the races hiking hard on the rail to keep the boat flat and fast. My crew did a terrific job keeping me informed about the wind direction so we could sail right on the edge without getting overpowered.”

Jones said the favorable incoming tide also played an important role in the victory.

“We were fortunate to be racing on the flood tide,” he said. “The ebb tide in Niantic Bay can create tricky currents and swirling water that make boat handling much more challenging.”

Joining Jones aboard Teamwork were Tim Stern of Rhode Island, who trimmed the mainsail, and Jones’ son, Rick Jones of Massachusetts, who handled both the jib trim and foredeck duties. Their teamwork, communication, and boat handling throughout the regatta proved to be a winning combination.

Jones has raced in more than a dozen regionals and this victory marks his second Ensign Regional Championship. The first was in 2015.

Jones and the Teamwork crew will next compete at the 2026 Ensign National Championship, scheduled for August 12–16 at the Toms River Yacht Club in New Jersey.

While Jones has previously finished as runner-up at the Ensign National Championship, he is hoping this year’s regional title provides the momentum needed to capture the national crown.

The entire Thames Yacht Club wishes Eric fair winds and following seas as he represents the club at the national championship.