Veteran yachtsman and first-time Hal Madison participant Joe Bardenheier of Newport, RI, racing with his family, sailed to victory in the 38th edition of the Block Island Club’s Hal Madison Race on Saturday, August 14th.
Racing one of the B.I. Club’s Colgate 26’s he dubbed The Flying B’s for the event, Bardenheier finished about a minute ahead of the next finisher, also a Colgate, raced by club sailing instructor John Seider. Bardenheier said he’s been coming to Block Island since 1973 and has sailed in more Block Island Race Weeks “than I should have,” noting that he’s won a lot of silver over the years, butnever had as much fun doing so as he did on Saturday.
The skies were mostly sunny, the temperature, humidity and dew point were high, and the winds were light and flukey (after a week of heavy air) throughout the race, which started around 11:30 a.m. south of the Great Salt Pond channel.Race committee chair and club manager Alex Donohue had to change the course and reset the starting line minutes before the first gun due to the finicky winds. The patient fleet of seven keel boats, including five club Colgates, a J/24
