HomeTo Finish Strong in Every Series Means Something

Finishing Strong: The Patrick Folds Memorial Award | Buccaneer 18 Class Association

BNAC Regatta Feature • Class Fellowship

Finishing Strong

The Patrick Folds Memorial Award

"In Buccaneer sailing, to finish strong in every series means something. Every boat has a voice, every race counts, and Patrick's joy on the water lives on."

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Official Regatta Report

Solomons Island, MD • Patuxent River

SOLOMONS, MD — Award ceremonies at the Buccaneer North American Championship are steeped in fellowship and lore. From the reverent celebration of sportsmanship honoring Dennis Martinelli to the uproarious humor of Larry Schmida’s pickle jar, Buccaneer sailors have always believed that what happens across the entire fleet matters just as much as what happens at the very front.

At the 2026 BNAC Award ceremony hosted by the Southern Maryland Sailing Association (SMSA), competitor Evan Scott took the podium to establish a poignant and spirited new tradition: The Patrick Folds Memorial Award, honoring our dear friend and competitor Patrick Michael Folds, who passed away unexpectedly following the 2025 BNAC in Big Lake, Alaska.

To officially inaugurate the tradition, Evan presented the inaugural award—complete with a celebration pack of celebratory "Smashes"—to Bill and Janet Shoemaker, winners of the final race of the 2026 championship series.

The Heart of a Buccaneer

From Phoenix to Big Lake

Patrick’s devotion to the Buccaneer Class ran deep, defined by an unselfish generosity that fellow sailors will never forget. Longtime friend Dave Johnson recalled just how much Patrick loved his boat—and how instinctively he put other sailors first:

"Pat bought his Buccaneer in 2020, but it was down in Phoenix. It finally arrived home in Alaska in June 2023. In what was truly the greatest demonstration of selflessness, Pat offered his Nickels Bucc to Team America while he sailed an older Chrysler Bucc in the 2023 Great Alaska Bucc Shootout. He wanted all the visitors from the Lower 48 to enjoy their Alaska adventure to the absolute fullest."

That Nickels hull was Patrick's pride and joy: Ship of Folds. Two years later, that same generous spirit made the historic 2025 BNAC at Alaska Sailing Club possible.

Hull: Nickels Custom Race Spec "Ship of Folds"

The Spark on the Bluff

Alaska, July 2025

Under the unique round-robin regatta format on Big Lake, local sailors generously lent their boats, swapping hulls after every race. Patrick was instrumental in making the championship run—turning wrenches on rigs, welcoming traveling families, and proudly entering Ship of Folds into the fleet rotation.

Heading into the final race of the championship, defending champion Ed Montano held the lead on the water, poised to secure another crown. Meanwhile, Evan and Elizabeth (Liz) Scott had rotated into Ship of Folds.

Perched high on the bluff with a handheld camera and a live feed broadcast, Patrick was providing unscripted play-by-play commentary for friends and family following along online. Suddenly, Evan and Liz hitched into fresh breeze, finding blazing speed:

"Like look at that! Yeah, he can't—no, I'm thinking of going below though... Now you can't! You got to go, you got to go! They should have done it like 5 seconds earlier... Oh, look at that tack! Look at that speed! Got speed so fast, holy crap! Oh, look at that—come on, come on! Wow!"

Watch Patrick's Live Finish Clip on YouTube →

Result: Final Race Bullet Evan & Liz Scott

The Award Address • SMSA Award Ceremony

"To Finish Strong in Every Series Means Something"

Taking the microphone at SMSA with fellow competitors gathered on the Chesapeake shore, Evan Scott recounted that unforgettable finish and explained why Patrick’s spirit needed a permanent place in the Class:

"Buccaneers, we have a very special new tradition to begin tonight, in the same vein of fellowship with which we remember Dennis Martinelli."

"This past year, our class lost one of its brightest spirits, Patrick Folds. Patrick often remarked that he wasn't the fastest boat in the fleet, but nobody had more heart, more passion for this class, or more pride in his boat, 'Ship of Folds.'"

"Last year in Alaska, Liz and I got the very lucky chance to race in Patrick’s boat for the final race of the BNAC. We were fortunate enough to catch Ed Montano at the very last second. For the rest of my life, I will never forget Patrick’s play-by-play commentary on that video—listening to his pure joy as he watched his own boat power up against 'Wisconsin' to take the win."

"To honor Patrick's memory, I wanted to start a new tradition: in Buccaneer sailing, to finish strong in every series means something. For the winner of the final race of the championship, we present this award—along with a special pack of smashes to be shared with friends and family, no matter where they traveled from or where they are heading next."

BNAC 2026 Presentation

Inaugural Recipients: Bill & Janet Shoemaker

With hearty cheers echoing across the Award ceremony, Evan called Bill and Janet Shoemaker forward to receive the inaugural honor. Having laid down a brilliant performance to cross the line first in the concluding race on the Patuxent River, the Shoemakers accepted the honor and the commemorative Smashes to toast on the dock with their competitors and friends.

The Patrick Folds Memorial Award will now be contested each year at the BNAC, reminding every fleet member—whether fighting for the podium or digging deep on the final beat—that every race counts, every boat has a voice, and finishing strong means everything.

Explore More BCA Trophies & Traditions

From the Dennis Martinelli Sportsmanship Trophy to the Macalpine-Downie/Gibbs Quaich and Larry Schmida's Pickle Jar, celebrate five decades of Buccaneer fellowship.

Class Awards BNAC Central