For 250 years the spirit of America has been defined by resilience, adventure and the pursuit of freedom.
Since 1932, the Thames Yacht Club is proud to be part of that legacy; honoring our past, celebrating our present, and inspiring the next generation of sailors.
The annual Solstice Cruise got underway on June 19, with a fleet of adventurous sailors setting their sights on Coecles Harbor. Mother Nature, however, apparently hadn’t gotten the memo that this was supposed to be a relaxing cruise. Instead, she greeted the fleet with gusty winds, steep chop, and enough excitement to satisfy even the most seasoned sailors.
“It was hairy,” laughed Nancy Andrews a fair weather cruiser, who was aboard Sebago with her family. “I had a white-knuckled death grip on the rail while everyone else was having the time of their lives!”
The route was no leisurely afternoon sail. Boats beat their way close-hauled toward the sluiceway, tacked down Plum Island, squeezed through The Gut, and finally arrived at Coecles Harbor—some with bigger smiles than others.
Not everyone chose to wrestle with the conditions. A few of the smaller boats wisely waited until the following day when things calmed down, while others decided discretion was the better part of valor and skipped the trip altogether. No shame in letting the weather win once in a while!
After everyone safely made it into the harbor, a celebratory rum toast aboard Zennora was in order. (Because nothing says “We survived!” quite like a little rum.) Spirits were high as everyone climbed into their dinghies and headed over to Taylor’s Island for a potluck barbecue.
The evening couldn’t have been more perfect. Grills were loaded with chicken and steaks, tables overflowed with delicious side dishes, and the grand finale featured lemon bars and gooey s’mores enjoyed with a spectacular sunset. The rough ride over was quickly becoming just another sea story.
Of course, Coecles Harbor has a reputation for breezy nights, and it didn’t disappoint. The wind howled through the anchorage, but thankfully everyone’s anchors held fast. There were no midnight anchor resets—always a reason to celebrate—although there were a few sleepy, underwear-clad cruisers making emergency cockpit appearances to double-check that everything was still where it belonged. Better safe than dragging!
On Saturday several boats departed early for the comforts of the Shelter Island Yacht Club, while others lingered another night in Coecles, capped off with a happy hour aboard A Domani. As every cruiser knows, any excuse for another happy hour is a good one.
By Sunday, everyone was moored at the Shelter Island Yacht Club and scattered to enjoy their own adventures around Greenport before regrouping for another happy hour aboard Sebago. (Cruising, after all, is really just a series of destinations connected by happy hours.)
“One of the best parts of the Solstice Cruise was seeing new friendships form and creating lasting memories on the water,” said Fleet Captain Marsha Couture. “It was especially exciting to have members who were new to the club join us alongside longtime members who were experiencing a club cruise for the very first time. That’s what Thames Yacht Club is all about—bringing people together through a shared love of boating. We hope this is just the beginning and that even more members will join us on future cruises and make memories of their own.”
“Our Fleet Captain Marsha Couture has done an outstanding job creating cruises that are welcoming, enjoyable, and offer something for everyone,” said TYC Commodore Colin Redhead. “Members can travel at their own pace, enjoy the destinations however they choose, meet new friends, and experience the camaraderie that makes TYC so special.”
Some crews headed home on Monday, while others stretched the adventure into Tuesday. The return trip couldn’t have been more different from the ride over. Gone were the pounding waves and gusty winds. Instead, boats motored home across calm, glassy water, leaving many to wonder if Mother Nature was apologizing—or simply saving the wind for next year’s Solstice Cruise.
For most sailors on Long Island Sound, land is never far away. Even on the longest days on the water, you can usually see the shoreline somewhere on the horizon — except when the thick fog rolls in. But on June 19, several Thames Yacht Club sailors are leaving that familiar coastline behind as they take on one of offshore sailing’s greatest challenges, the 636-mile Newport to Bermuda Race.
TYC racers Eric O’Sullivan and Stu Caplan will trade the protected waters of the Thames River and Long Island Sound for days of open-ocean sailing far from land, with unpredictable weather and ocean conditions in the Gulf Stream aboard O’Sullivan’s 44’ XYacht Xcellent.
O’Sullivan is no stranger to long distance races, having completed the Ida Lewis, the Wetherill, and Vineyard races, but the Newport to Bermuda race is his first.
“I’ve been planning this for four years and all the races I’ve completed during that time prepared us for the goal of racing to Bermuda,” said O’Sullivan. “Being in the ocean is not the same as being in Long Island Sound. I’ve been in some nasty weather conditions in the ocean and understand how quickly things can go south.”
Caplan has also completed numerous long-distance races, and this course is a familiar one, as this race will mark his fifth Newport-to-Bermuda crossing.
“I hold Mother Nature in great reverence,” said Caplan. “In the 1982 race, the boom broke with 15′ waves on the bow in the middle of the race, and we still won our class on Conamor. The 2022 race included many hours surfing with the Asym in 18′ waves and surging at 17 to 20 knots. I think the fundamental difference between Bermuda and the Vineyard or Around Long Island Race is the irrevocable commitment to take whatever nature has to offer without a safe harbor.”
“We are incredibly proud to have two TYC members participating in the Newport to Bermuda Race—one of sailing’s most challenging and prestigious offshore competitions,” said TYC Commodore Colin Redhead.
2026 marks the 54th biennial ocean sailing competition that highlights seamanship and the spirit of sailing. Started in 1906, it’s the oldest regularly scheduled ocean race and one of the few international distance races held almost entirely out of sight of land.
“Going through the Gulf Stream is exciting and unpredictable,” said O’Sullivan. “I enjoy adventure. Xcellent was built for heavy seas and strong wind and it can handle rough sea states really well.”
“This race represents the pinnacle of competitive sailing, said TYC Rear Commodore Josh Hazelwood. “Eric and Stu have trained extensively and have exceptional skills and dedication necessary to participate in this high-level, challenging race.”
O’Sullivan says he enjoys a sweet treat while sailing, bringing along Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and he always packs his Huk boots because he says, “there’s nothing worse than wet feet.”
Joining O’Sullivan and Caplan aboard Xcellent are Connecticut sailors Maisey Jobson, Joe Pelletier, Chris White, Steve Green, Jim Slavin, and Jay Tedeschi who has raced on several boats at TYC, along with two Rhode Island sailors, Daniel Renn and Elizabeth Sutton.
“With 10 crew members, we plan to have two watches of five operating in four hour shifts,” said O’Sullivan.
The race continues to attract sailors from around the world. In 2024, nearly 50 boats had at least one sailor from one of 25 countries. More than 4,000 spectators are expected to witness the start of the race off Fort Adams, while more than 10,000 are expected to tune in online to watch a livestream of the event at https://bermudarace.com/live/
TYC members will be among those tuning in, watching and cheering Xcellent’s progress with great excitement and admiration.
“They are doing something many of us only dream about but never get to do, so it will be great to watch their progress throughout the race and celebrate with them when they return to New London,” said TYC racer Daniel Andrews.
To Eric and Stu: We’re behind you 100 percent. We wish you fair winds, favorable seas, and a safe passage to Bermuda. May your preparation, seamanship, and teamwork carry you through to the finish line. We can’t wait to celebrate your accomplishment with you when you return. – Nancy Andrews
Father Rick’s obituary has been published and has information about his services:
A life-long Red Sox fan, Father Albamonti always had a sense of adventure. After his college graduation, he and his roommate rode their motorcycles to Mexico and back, causing many hours of prayer in the Albamonti household. But it was his love of boating that kept him busy in his off hours; he was a member of the Thames Yacht Club, and several years ago made a solo voyage from New London to Key West, Florida.
Visiting hours will be held from 9 – 10 a.m. on Friday, May 29, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, 211 Broadway, Norwich, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be at St. Mary’s & St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 815 Boswell Ave, Norwich.
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On a beautiful, summer-like Saturday in May, the Thames Yacht Club officially welcomed the start of the 2026 boating season with its annual commissioning ceremony, bringing members together for an evening of tradition, celebration, and camaraderie.
More than 85 new and longtime members filled both the upper and lower decks in their Sunday best as outgoing Commodore Rebecca Turner passed the helm to incoming Commodore Colin Redhead, who formally opened TYC’s 93rd sailing season.
Norwich Free Academy senior Grace Bouley performed the National Anthem, and James Dickerson played the bagpipes.
Membership Chair Judith Redhead distributed burgees as she welcomed new senior members Greg and Theresa Messner, John Burkhardt and Bettina Olshausen, Spencer Alsup, Prescott and Laura Powers, Alan and Colette Skinner, Kenny and Joanne Dahill, Richard Bolles, Chris and Kiki Silvestri, and Robert Smith and Ines Bassene.
“This weekend always reminds us what makes this club special,” said TYC Secretary Leigh Reinhart. “There’s pride in our traditions, excitement for the sailing season ahead, and real enthusiasm about the food and dining experience at the club as well.”
Members expressed optimism about the months ahead, looking forward to summer gatherings, dinners on the porch, club cruises, racing, and upcoming events featuring creations from Ozzie’s galley.
“There’s a real sense of momentum around the club right now,” said Doug Arey.
“Between the success of the Mother’s Day brunch, Commissioning Day, and the excitement surrounding the new galley, it feels like this is going to be one of the best summers TYC has had in years,” said Redhead.
Redhead also introduced the winner of the first annual James Avery Youth Sailing Scholarship. Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School fifth grader Jasmine Acosta and a friend will spend two weeks in TYC’s Youth Sailing program learning how to sail and deepening their connection to the water.
“Everything was beautifully done, the food was delicious, and the music was a wonderful addition to the evening,” said past commodores Wayne Gammo and Rob Amrein.
Musician Jim Macaukey provided live guitar music during dinner, adding to the evening’s festive atmosphere.
With the 2026 season officially underway, the Thames Yacht Club enters the summer with renewed energy, strong traditions, and a full calendar of events centered around sailing, friendship, and good food.
“It was a beautiful evening. The new commodore and executive committee did an excellent job putting it all together and the musicians added a nice touch to the event,” said Brian and Kim Weekley.
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