Another generation of Sweeps champions

When Marshall and Helen Van Winkle joined the Shrewsbury Sailing and Yacht Club in 1936, they could only hope that they would eventually leave the love of sailing as part of their legacy. Not only did they do that, but the next 3 generations of Van Winkles went on to be club champions and winners of the annual Junior Sweepstakes regatta held each August at SSYC and Monmouth Boat Club.

Marshall and Helen’s two sons, Marshall Jr. and Bill, grew up sailing at SSYC, with Bill (a resident of Little Silver with his wife Beverly) being a club champion and the first generation of Van Winkle Junior Sweepstakes champs.

Bill and his wife Beverly have three children who all became the 3rd generation of SSYC sailors: Stuart (who resides in Little Silver with his wife Gail), Ainsley Hilfiker (a Middletown resident with her husband Rick), and Carrie White (a Fair Haven resident). Stuart was also an SSYC club champion and the 2nd generation of Junior Sweepstakes winners.

The fourth generation of Van Winkle sailors continue to reign as champions as well! Kendall, Stuart & Gail’s daughter, was an SSYC club champion and the 3rd generation of Van Winkle Junior Sweepstakes winners when she was in the junior sailing program. And now her cousins, Will and Harris Hilfiker (Ainsley and Rick’s sons) have carried on the tradition, taking first place in their fleets at the Junior Sweepstakes regatta last week.

Their grandparents, Bill and Beverly, were there beaming with pride. “Please excuse me but I am a VERY proud Grandpa” said Bill after the awards ceremony. “My guess is that this is a rare situation at [SSYC] and maybe even at any club in any sport!!”

We won’t be surprised when the next generation of Patch bloggers is writing about more Van Winkle champions! Congratulations to the entire family!