2026 Preview (5/17/26)
Welcome to another year of Road To The Cup (RTTC)! Originally introduced 16 years ago, RTTC serves as a weekly snapshot of racing recaps, scores, upcoming events, and a bit of fleet gossip. Information is gathered from first-hand accounts and score sheets, but the fleet relies heavily on its members for news, photos, and scuttlebutt. If you have anything to share, send it over to kpandapas@comcast.net.
Expect RTTC in your inbox every Sunday morning (or Monday morning if there is racing on Sunday).
What You Need To Know
- Time To Register: Registration is open for the season. Get it done using the links provided in the official document.
- MRA Opening Day: The 2026 season kicks off Saturday, May 23rd and Sunday, May 24th on the South Line. The first gun is at 1:00 PM.
- Twilight Opening Day: The first Twilight race of the year is Thursday evening, May 28th. First gun is at 7:00 PM.
- First Fleet Party: Hosted after sailing on Saturday, May 30th at the home of Anne Marije Veenland and Bryan Lee. The invitation went out on Friday.
Cup Scoring Overview
Next Saturday begins the annual battle for the Nick Nichols Season Championship Trophy (aka ‘The Cup’), named in memory of long-time Townie and Rhodes skipper Nathan ‘Nick’ Nichols. This coveted prize rewards sustaining a highly competitive campaign over the entire season rather than just winning a single day or series. To win, you must show up consistently and stay competitive.
Cup Scoring vs. MRA Scoring
- MRA Championship: Crowned based strictly on the aggregated results of the three MRA series.
- Cup Championship: Includes aggregated results of virtually everything: MRA Series 1, 2 & 3, Twilight Series 1 & 2, and Race Week.
Twilight Series Breakdown
There will be 14 scored Twilight Thursdays between Memorial Day and Labor Day, evenly split into two series:
- Series 1: May 28, June 4, June 11, June 18, June 25, July 2, July 9.
- Series 2: July 16, July 30, August 6, August 13, August 20, August 27, September 3.
- Note: First gun is at 7:00 PM until Race Week, shifting to 6:00 PM afterward.
Crucial Scoring Adjustments
Per resolutions at the spring meeting, please note these schedule exceptions:
- June 27th (MRA Series 2 Day 2 / East Coasts) will NOT be scored for MRA or fleet scoring.
- August 20th (Twilight Series 2 Day 5 / Nationals) WILL be scored as usual.
- August 22nd (MRA Series 3 Day 2 / Nationals) will NOT be scored for MRA or fleet scoring.
Current Standings: Week 0
As we head into the first weekend of racing, everyone is tied for 1st place with 0.00 points:
| Rank | Team | Sail # | Points |
| 1st | Rob Ferro | 243 | 0.00 |
| 1st | Shoreman / Reynolds | 722 | 0.00 |
| 1st | Team Pandapas | 982 | 0.00 |
| 1st | Team Colsman | 1210 | 0.00 |
| 1st | Team Dittrich | 1217 | 0.00 |
| 1st | Jay Wager | 1219 | 0.00 |
| 1st | Team Hoguet | 1228 | 0.00 |
| 1st | Team Regnault / Thibodeaux | 1316 | 0.00 |
| 1st | Bill Colehower | 1341 | 0.00 |
| 1st | Sarah Sheldon / Ann Sousa | 1398 | 0.00 |
| 1st | Team Martini | 1466 | 0.00 |
| 1st | Ianchulev | 1645 | 0.00 |
| 1st | Team Pendleton / Raisides | 1680 | 0.00 |
| 1st | Team Hooks / Pascal | 1683 | 0.00 |
| 1st | John Casler | 1775 | 0.00 |
| 1st | Debbie Noble | 1782 | 0.00 |
| 1st | Eric Thornton | 1819 | 0.00 |
| 1st | Tim McCaffrey | 1925 | 0.00 |
| 1st | Team Taylor | 1926 | 0.00 |
| 1st | Frank McNamara | 1939 | 0.00 |
| 1st | Team Denton | 2003 | 0.00 |
| 1st | Larry Ehrhardt | 2435 | 0.00 |
| 1st | Team Fava / Nash | 2485 | 0.00 |
| 1st | Team Rubin | 2495 | 0.00 |
| 1st | Team Uhl / Lane | 2585 | 0.00 |
| 1st | Team Gabriel | 1137 | 0.00 |
| 1st | Team Lane | 2623 | 0.00 |
| 1st | Team Cooke / Kaznoski | 2648 | 0.00 |
| 1st | Anne Marije Veenland | 2651 | 0.00 |
| 1st | Adam Roberts / Alden Reid | TBD | 0.00 |
(Table Source: )
News, Notices & Scuttlebutt
Race Week Registration Reminder
The Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta runs Thursday through Sunday, July 23-26. Your MRA fee covers the entry fee for this event, so there is no extra cost—but you still must explicitly register!
Fleet 5 Summer Kick-Off Party (May 30th)
Generously hosted by Anne Marije Veenland & Bryan Lee starting at 5:00 PM. Rich & Rosy Denton are delivering a fully stocked fleet bar, and rumor has it Rosy is crafting another signature cocktail. The event is a potluck, so please let the hosts know what you plan to bring when you RSVP.
Introducing the G.O.A.T. Trophy 🐐
New for 2026, Fleet 5 is introducing the G.O.A.T. Trophy—which stands for Goes Out All the Time. The fleet will track the total number of race days sailed by each team across MRA, Race Week, and Twilights. The top 5 standings will be featured weekly in the RTTC, and the most dedicated team will be awarded a suitable trophy at the Fall awards party.
Fall Classic Nominations
On September 19th, a new Marblehead Harbor sailing championship will pit the top finishers from each MRA fleet against one another for a day of fleet racing in Sonars. Fleet 5 must nominate two teams by July 27th. What criteria should we use to choose our standard-bearers? Options include:
- Top two in Cup standings
- Top two in Race Week
- Top of the “spin” rankings
- Subjective vote of registered fleet members
- Leadership decision
Send your votes and opinions to kpandapas@comcast.net.
Lean Into WhatsApp
Fleet 5 is moving its quick communications to WhatsApp this season. Stefan Thibodeaux is the designated WhatsApp Czar. You can join the “Mhead Rhodes 19” group by scanning the QR code on page 5 of the newsletter, or reach out to Stefan directly at 317-372-4689 with questions.
“If You Spin, Send It In”
To promote sportsmanship and keep penalties transparently on the racecourse, the fleet continues its policy: if you commit a foul and complete your penalty turns, email kpandapas@comcast.net after racing to report how many times you spun. A running tally will be tracked, and the season’s “top spinner” will be recognized at the fall awards ceremony.
Marketplace / Notices
- For Sale – Calgon (#1686): Race-ready and heavily optimized between 2018 and 2021 (keel, bottom, lifting rings, floorboards). Includes boat, trailer, and multiple suits of sails (including a lightly used set). Contact Jocelyn Cook at jocelyn.n.cook@gmail.com.
- For Sale – O’Day #2688: Turnkey and fully optimized for racing by Ian Peebles. Check the links in the original document for more info.
- Gear Wanted: Eric Cressy is looking to buy a lightly used Doyle main and jib for a Stuart R19 centerboard, as well as an extra rudder. Contact Eric at ecressy2003@yahoo.com.
Fleet 5 2026 – Schedule of Events
| Date | Cup Scored? | Event | Location & Time |
| Thur April 16 | Fleet 5 Spring Meeting | Home of Christina & Kim Pandapas @ 6:30 PM | |
| Sat May 23 | X | MRA Series 1 Day 1 | South Line (Consolidated) @ 1:00 PM |
| Sun May 24 | X | MRA Series 1 Day 2 | South Line (Consolidated) @ 1:00 PM |
| Thur May 28 | X | Twilight Series 1 Day 1 | Twilight Line @ 7:00 PM |
| Sat May 30 | X | MRA Series 1 Day 3 | Brimbles Line (Short Course) @ 1:00 PM |
| Sat May 30 | Fleet 5 Summer Kick-off | Home of Anne Marije Veenland & Bryan Lee @ 5:00 PM | |
| Thur June 4 | X | Twilight Series 1 Day 2 | Twilight Line @ 7:00 PM |
| Sat June 6 | X | MRA Series 1 Day 4 | Brimbles Line (Short Course) / Somerset I-Day @ 1:00 PM |
| Sat June 6 | MRA Party | Corinthian Yacht Club @ 5:00 PM | |
| Thur June 11 | X | Twilight Series 1 Day 3 | Twilight Line @ 7:00 PM |
| Sat June 13 | X | MRA Series 1 Day 5 | South Line (Consolidated) @ 1:00 PM |
| Thur June 18 | X | Twilight Series 1 Day 4 | Twilight Line @ 7:00 PM |
| Fri June 19 | EYC Pursuit Race 1 | TBD | |
| Sat June 20 | X | MRA Series 2 Day 1 | North Line @ 1:00 PM |
| Thur June 25 | X | Twilight Series 1 Day 5 | Twilight Line @ 7:00 PM |
| Sat June 27 | MRA Series 2 Day 2 (Not Scored) | Brimbles Line (Short Course) @ 1:00 PM | |
| Sat June 27 | East Coasts Day 1 | Padanaram (All Day) | |
| Sun June 28 | East Coasts Day 2 | Padanaram (All Day) | |
| Sun June 28 | Fast Mermaid Pursuit Race | TBD | |
| Thur July 2 | X | Twilight Series 1 Day 6 | Twilight Line @ 7:00 PM |
| Thur July 9 | X | Twilight Series 1 Day 7 | Twilight Line @ 7:00 PM |
| Fri July 10 | EYC Pursuit Race 2 | TBD | |
| Sat July 11 | MRA Series 2 Day 3 | Brimbles Line / Mid-Summer 1-Day @ 1:00 PM | |
| Sat July 11 | MRA Party | Corinthian Yacht Club @ 5:00 PM | |
| Sat July 11 | Sail Newport Regatta Day 1 | Sail Newport (All Day) | |
| Sun July 12 | Sail Newport Regatta Day 2 | Sail Newport (All Day) | |
| Thur July 16 | X | Twilight Series 2 Day 1 | Twilight Line @ 7:00 PM |
| Sat July 18 | X | MRA Series 2 Day 4 | Brimbles Line (Short Course) @ 1:00 PM |
| Thur July 23 | X | Race Week Day 1 | North Line (TBD) |
| Thur July 23 | Race Week Party | Home of Jennifer & Steve Uhl @ 6:30 PM | |
| Fri July 24 | X | Race Week Day 2 | North Line (TBD) |
| Sat July 25 | X | Race Week Day 3 | North Line (TBD) |
| Sun July 26 | X | Race Week Day 4 | North Line (TBD) |
| Thur July 30 | X | Twilight Series 2 Day 2 | Twilight Line @ 6:00 PM |
| Fri July 31 | EYC Pursuit Race 3 | TBD | |
| Sat Aug 1 | X | MRA Series 2 Day 5 | North Line @ 1:00 PM |
| Thur Aug 6 | X | Twilight Series 2 Day 3 | Twilight Line @ 6:00 PM |
| Sat Aug 8 | X | MRA Series 3 Day 1 | Brimbles Line (Short Course) @ 1:00 PM |
| Thur Aug 13 | X | Twilight Series 2 Day 4 | Twilight Line @ 6:00 PM |
| Wed Aug 19 | R19 Nationals | Chicago (All Day) | |
| Thur Aug 20 | X | Twilight Series 2 Day 5 | Twilight Line @ 6:00 PM |
| Thur Aug 20 | R19 Nationals | Chicago (All Day) | |
| Fri Aug 21 | R19 Nationals | Chicago (All Day) | |
| Sat Aug 22 | MRA Series 3 Day 2 (Not Scored) | North Line @ 1:00 PM | |
| Thur Aug 27 | X | Twilight Series 2 Day 6 | Twilight Line @ 6:00 PM |
| Sat Aug 29 | X | MRA Series 3 Day 3 | Brimbles Line (Short Course) @ 1:00 PM |
| Thur Sept 3 | X | Twilight Series 2 Day 7 | Twilight Line @ 6:00 PM |
| Sat Sept 5 | X | MRA Series 3 Day 4 | South Line (Consolidated) @ 1:00 PM |
| Sat Sept 5 | Fleet 5/Etchells Labor Day Party | Home of Lisa & Frank McNamara @ 5:00 PM | |
| Sun Sept 6 | X | MRA Series 3 Day 5 | South Line (Consolidated) @ 1:00 PM |
| Mon Sept 7 | Around Misery Island Race | Twilight Line (TBD) | |
| Mon Sept 7 | Sail Salem Charity Race | TBD | |
| Sat Sept 19 | Fall Classic – Season Championship | TBD | |
| Sat Sept 19 | MRA Awards Party | Corinthian Yacht Club @ 6:30 PM | |
| Sat Nov 7 | Fleet 5 Awards Party | Home of Christina & Kim Pandapas @ 6:30 PM |