SouthernMaryland skipper Detwiler triumphs for 2nd time
Before the 21st annual Don Backe Memorial Regatta got underway, the entire fleet of Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating adaptive sailboats performed a parade through Ego Alley.
Each of the Beneteau First 22A sloops had the mainsail hoisted with the CRAB logo displayed on each. Folks lining City Dock in downtown Annapolis gave the boats and crews a rousing round of applause as they motored past.
Paul Bollinger, executive director of Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating, described the scene as a “stirringmoment” and an upliftingway for the disabled sailors and their teams to begin a fun-filled Sunday on thewater.
CRABhad all six of its specially designed sailboats entered and each was skippered by a sailor with some form of a disability.
Skipper Kevin Detwiler opened the regatta by getting the gun, then tacked on a pair of third-place finishes to takehomethe
Don Backe Memorial CRAB Trophy. It marked the second victory for Detwiler, whose first win came in 2012 — the year before Backe died.
Backe, founded Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating in 1991 and served as executive director until shortly before his death in April 2013 at 77. The nonprofit organization provided opportunities for physically and developmentally challenged individuals, and those who otherwise couldn’t afford it, to go sailing on the Chesapeake Bay.
“First of all, being on the on the water is always special,” Detwiler said. “To win the Don Backe Memorial Regatta is extra special to me because it brings back memories ofwhenmy goalwas to beatDon Backe.”
Detwilerwas hit by a car while riding his bike at the age of 10 and was paralyzed as a result. He started sailing with CRAB in 1996, routinely making the long drive from his home in Leonardtown to Sandy Point State Park to do so.
“When I started, I couldn’t even balance well enough to sit on the boat,” Detwiler said. “After learning how to stabilize myself, I learned to control the boat. As a sailor, I’vemade a lot of improvements over the years.”
Walt Laird and Warren Richter, who race a Harbor 20 and J/22, respectively, crewed for Detwiler aboard Whoa Dudes. Detwiler said boat-handling and speed were crucial and noted there was one race when the team started last and finished third.
Laird, who served as tactician, praised Detwiler for his soft touch on the helm and ability to hold a steady course both upwind and downwind while executing tight mark roundings.
“I would say we won because of Kevin’s positive attitude and can-do approach no matter what circumstance arose,” Laird said. “Except for one race, we generally had good starts, which were key to harbor racing. We had planned out a consistent setup for the start thatwas easy to execute.”
Annapolis Yacht Club provided onwater management, with former commodorePeter Gordon serving as principal race officer. Races started and finished in front of AYC, and it was critical for boats to get out of the dirty air of Spa Creek and into the Severn River. where the breeze was 8 to 10 knots.
Placing second aboard Andrea was skipper John Tarrant of Arlington, Va. He had Dr. Jonathan Forsberg, an Etchells racer, aboard as tactician. J/22 sailor TraceyGolde completed the crew.
“The regatta allowed CRAB to show the disabled can vigorously participate, even during a pandemic,” Tarrant said.
CRAB President Brad LaTour presented the trophies and thanked Annapolis Yacht Club for its ongoing support. Gordon believes the addition of AYC members as tacticians has helped improve the quality of racing in the Don BackeMemorial Regatta.