Fair Haven Sailors Take Home Awards At Annual Mayor's Cup

FAIR HAVEN, NJ — With overcast skies, fair winds and choppy water, youth sailors from the Fair Haven Sailing Organization (AKA the River Rats) recently took to the waters to participate in the long-standing and beloved maritime tradition, the Fair Haven Mayor's Cup.

This popular regatta is hosted in conjunction with several local yacht clubs, including the Shrewsbury River Yacht Club (SRYC), which hosted the awards ceremony, the Shrewsbury Sailing & Yacht Club (SSYC), and Monmouth Boat Club.

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The event features both youth and adult races, officials said.

Representing the River Rats, Winston Fils, 8, of Fair Haven, and Isabella Schiavetti, also of Fair Haven, placed third and fourth, respectively, in the youth division.

"These young sailors really made us proud and show great promise," Youth Division Race Director Joe Malik said.

He added that sailing is "an excellent way to develop leadership and problem-solving skills."

River Rats Skipper Jill Lynch said she observed some great sailing during the event and believes that the competition helps sailors to build confidence and gain valuable experience on the water.

In addition to serving as a competition, the Mayor's Cup was also a River Rats reunion of sorts, igniting memories of summers past for several graduates and former head instructors from the junior sailing program.

Growing up in Fair Haven but now residing in different parts of the country, long-time friends Daniel Raphael and Marcus Gasperini returned to visit old friends, share memories and participate in the regatta.

They placed second overall, sailing a Harpoon for River Rats.

More so than the race itself, the pair said they returned to pay tribute to an organization that they credit with helping them to grow, develop and find direction in life.

"Now I work on boats full time as a first mate," said Raphael, who sailed as a teen and then became an instructor. "I was mentored and then became a mentor myself...All the kids I mentored and taught to sail are now instructors themselves. It's great to see."

For Gasperini, learning to sail at age seven was terrifying for a time, he said.

"I remember the first week. I really hated it," he recalled with a laugh.

That all changed, and by age 16, he was an instructor himself, serving for seven years in that role, including three years as co-head instructor with Raphael.

"I visit River Rats every summer and have great memories of helping kids who were scared like me," Gasperini said.

Today, Gasperini is studying environmental science, citing River Rats as the impetus for that interest and his journey of stewardship.

For more information on the adult and youth sailing programs offered by River Rats, you can visit their website.