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Challenging conditions for 21st annual Whitebread race

By Paul Squire

Two boats reposition themselves just before the annual Whitebread race Saturday morning. (Credit: Paul Squire)
Two boats reposition themselves just before the annual Whitebread race Saturday morning. (Credit: Paul Squire)

With the wind whipping and rain storms plaguing Peconic Bay, 92 sailing boats competed in the 21st annual Whitebread race Saturday. 

One of those vessels, a 28-foot sailboat named Optimistic, sank while participating in the race in Gardiners Bay. Two other racing boats pulled off course to rescue the four crew members aboard. No one was harmed.

The race had vessels sail from Cutchogue harbor north around the west side of Shelter Island and back. It was one of the fastest races in recent history, due to the high winds, race coordinators said.

See more photos from the race below:

Silent Passage, a racing sailboat competing Saturday, the morning of the race. (Credit: Paul Squire)
Silent Passage, a racing sailboat competing Saturday, the morning of the race. (Credit: Paul Squire)
The race begins for one of the ship classes Saturday morning. The different boats were divided into categories based on speed and sent off on the race at different times. (Credit: Paul Squire)
The race begins for one of the ship classes Saturday morning. The different boats were divided into categories based on speed and sent off on the race at different times. (Credit: Paul Squire)
(Credit: Paul Squire)
(Credit: Paul Squire)
A radar screen aboard the auxiliary race committee boat shows the blips of competitors circling before the race begins. The shoreline is on the left. (Credit: Paul Squire)
A radar screen aboard the auxiliary race committee boat shows the blips of competitors circling before the race begins. The shoreline is on the left. (Credit: Paul Squire)
(Credit: Paul Squire)
(Credit: Paul Squire)

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