Albrikes - Fried, Cartier - Martin Capture Shelter Harbor's Spring Shoreline Classic Tourney

JOHN SPEARS
MARCH 29, 2010
WESTERLY, RI

Playing in near-perfect paddle weather, top seeds Jerry Albrikes and Mike Fried won the men's and #1 seeds Geoff Cartier and Kristie Martin won the mixed events at Shelter Harbor's "Spring Shoreline Classic" on Saturday and Sunday, March 27 and 28.

In the men's event, Albrikes and Fried fought off challenges from Gordon Teglas and Don Clark by a score of 6-2, 7-5 in the semi's and from Steve Heath and Geoff Cartier in the final by a score of 6-0, 7-6.  B J Paret and Greg Brasher won the consolation event, with a win over Bob Salter and Walker Jones in the final.  Bill Horne and Tom Griffa took the reprieve with a win over Jim Dey and George Moore in that final, and Allyn and Adam Michalek cruised to victory in the "last gasp" over Bob Burian and Rob Gay.

In mixed, top seeds Cartier and Martin moved comfortably into the final, then fought off a tough challenge from #2 seeds, Ned and Polly Handy, by a score of 6-3, 6-4 to claim the title.  In the "all Shelter Harbor" consolation final, Rob Gay and Norma Taylor defeated John Spears and Leah Nero, and in the "last gasp", Shelter Harbor Inn owner, Jim Dey, and Deb Schmutzler were victorious over Steve Blum and Jeannie Straus of Manhatten.

Highlights of the tournament (besides the excellent paddle play) were the hot tub on the roof of Shelter Harbor Inn, and the cocktail party Saturday nite at the Dey residence, overlooking Weekapaug Pond.