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11/13/2013

YBAA Member, Gowrie Group, Adopts a Dyer Dhow and Competes in Annual Sailing Competition

Gowrie Group, New England's renowned marine and specialty insurance agency, launched their adopted, refurbished Dyer Dhow Dinghy named "Gowrie Group" just hours before the start of the 64th Dyer Dhow Derby sailing competition at the Mystic Seaport. 

Gowrie DhowGowrie Group adopted the 9-foot boat as part of the Seaport's "Adopt a Dyer Program" - a program which uses donations to restore Dyer Dinghies that have been abandoned and are no longer usable.  The adopting organization is able to name the boat, choose the sail colors, and race the boat in the annual Dyer Dhow Derby competition.  Nancy Sprigg, Gowrie Group's yacht department manager said, "The adoption was a Christmas gift from Gowrie employees to the company's owners.  We named the boat 'Gowrie Group' and chose blue sail colors to match our logo."  All of the adopted dyers are kept at the Seaport year round and used by the Youth Training Center. 

Gowrie Group employees from the company's CT, RI, MA, and NH offices came to the Seaport to take part in the launching ceremony, cheer on the Gowrie racers, and explore the Seaport's 17 acres of maritime exhibits.  "Everyone from the Gowrie team had a great day enjoying the Seaport and taking part in this terrific annual event.  We are proud to support the Seaport and have the 'Gowrie Group' boat join the museum's fleet of boats used for community and youth sailing," said Whitney Peterson, Gowrie Group's VP of Marketing. 

The 'Gowrie Group' boat was raced by employees with strong sailing backgrounds: Carter Gowrie, a former J/24 and J/35 international champion; Whitney Peterson, a four time college sailing All-American; Dan Cooney, past Assistant Director at US Sailing; Kellie Crete, a long time boater; and Rod Clingman, an experienced keel boat racer.  In the final "fun" race, the Quarter-Ton race (500 pound minimum crew weight), the boat was raced with six people aboard - Whitney, her husband Matt, her children Molly and Avery, and Kellie's children, Tapper and Addie.   The Gowrie team competed against twenty-five other strong sailing teams in five divisions - Juniors, Mens, Womens, Pairs, and Quarter-Ton. Whitney Peterson finished 3rd in the Women's division.  The Gowrie team placed 9th overall.  The event was won by the Gimble family, sailing the boat "Lisa" dedicated two years ago in memory of Mystic veterinarian Lisa Antinoph. The races were hosted and run by the 2012 event winner, the Maxwell Family from Stonington and Noank.

  

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