By Emory Heisler, Event PRO
Six of AYC’s finest sailors matched up on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at Tempe Town Lake to compete for the coveted AYC “Punchbowl Trophy” aboard Capri 14.2 boats. Warm temperatures a good winds were forecasted for Tempe Town Lake, and the forecast and racers delivered.
Martin and Cedric Lorch (Santana 20) took advantage of the relatively steady east breeze to jump out to a commanding lead with three straight bullets. In race 4, as the winds began to swirl and clock to the south and west, ASU sailors Sean Kenealy and Gillian Cate (Buccaneer Fleet) pushed the Lorch team back in the pack to a 3rd place finish. Time was running out!
Former champion Paul Miachika (Laser Fleet) with crew Scarlett Lorin also nabbed a bullet winning race 5. But Team Lorch was right on their stern, giving them an insurmountable lead and making them the AYC 2025 Club Championship team.
This is Martin’s eigth time being crowned Club Champion and this win moves him to hold the second all-time champ record ahead of Al Lehman Jr. (7) and Skip Kempff (7), but still chasing legendary Don Hubele with the most wins (10).
Martin’s first championship was in 1988, thirty-seven years ago. You can’t get much better than that for proving that sailing is a lifetime sport. Congratulations to Martin and Cedric Lorch and to all the fleet champions for earning your way to the championship start line.
View all the photo galleries in this >SmugMug Folder
Thanks to Ron Simzyk and Deb Heisler for the great photos!
The entire gang. 
Martin and Cedric hold the Punchbowl. 
Good breeze and tactical decisions helped Martin and Cedric. 
Paul Miachika and Scarlett Lorin (Laser) 
Paul and Scarlett have their eye on the prize 
Sean Kenealy and Gillian Cate (Bucc 18) 
Sean and Gillian getting some nice pressure. 
Heading downwind. 
Mike and Maryellen Ferring (C 14.2) 
The Ferring’s in action 
Start line volleying. 
Mark Powell and Joanne Aspinall (Sunfish) 
Mark checking the sail trim. 
Paul and Tom during race 1. 
Paul Liszewski and Tom Canasi (C22) opted in as spectators after Paul’s TTL baptism and one race. 
The race management team! 
Water and dock support. 
Snacktician Deb Heisler. 
Changing of the boats. 
Tight competition. 
Commodore down. You had to be there! 
Rounding 
Final scoreboard.
And many thanks to everyone who helped make this regatta such a fun and exciting event!
- Racers/Crew: Sean Kenealy/Gillian Cate (Buccaneer), Mike Ferring/Maryellen Ferring (C14.2), Paul Liszewsi/Tom Canasi (C22),Paul Miachika/Scarlett Lorin (Laser), Martin Lorch/Cedric Lorch (Santana 20), Mark Powell/Joanne Aspinall (Sunfish)
- Race Management: PRO Emory Heisler. Grant Harless, Peter Jeffries, Roger Pawley, Lynn Simzyk.
- Safety/Photos/Docks: Joe Motil, Don Weaver, David Newland, Ron Simzyk and Ken Whitley
- Snacktician/Photos: Deb Heisler
- Boat Loans: Joanne Aspinall, Mike Ferring, Dave Henning, Martin Lorch, Ron Simzyk, and ASF