RACING Venice Sailing Squadron. Saturdays. First Saturday of each month, PHRF racing. Start at mouth of Venice Inlet. www.venicesailing-squadron.org Boat of the Year Races (BOTY) (please check with West Florida Yacht Racing Association at www.wfyra.org) Tampa Bay (also known as West Florida BOTY: (WFBOTY) Davis Island: (DIBOTY) Gulf Boat of the Year: (GBOTY) Charlotte Harbor: (CHBOTY) Sarasota Bay: (SBBOTY) Naples/Marco Island: (N/MBOTY) DECEMBER Nov. 30-Dec. 1 Disabled America’s Regatta. St. Pete YC 1 Turkey Run Regatta. Regatta Pointe Marina. (SBBOTY) 7-8 Naples Offshore Regatta. Naples YC 8 Commodore’s Cup. Sarasota Sailing Squadron 8-9 Holiday Regatta. Punta Gorda SC (CHBOTY) 15 Winter Couples. Davis Island YC 15 Transbay Race. Davis Island YC and Tampa Sailing Squadron 27 Full Moon Race. Davis Island YC JANUARY 1 Hangover Cure. St. Pete YC 1 Hangover Regatta. Sarasota Sailing Squadron 1 Bloody Mary Regatta. Bradenton YC 1 Hangover Bowl. Davis Island YC 5 New Year’s Cup. Naples Sailing & YC 5 Egmont Key Race. Davis Island YC. (WFBOTY) (DIBOTY) 12 Chili Cook-off Regatta. Caloosahatchee Marching & Chowder Society. 12-13 Gaspar Regatta. St. Pete YC 12-13 Commodore’s Cup. Davis Island YC. (WFBOTY) (DIBOTY) 18-20 Master Driver team race. St. Pete YC 19 Snowbird Regatta. Sarasota Sailing Squadron 19-20 Golden Conch Regatta. Platinum Point YC. (CHBOTY) 24 Full Moon Race. Davis Island YC 26 Good Old Boat Regatta. St. Pete Sailing Assoc.
WFORC Adapts to Transitioning Sailing Community, Pensacola, FL, Oct. 12-14 By Julie B. Connerley The adage, “We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails,” was originally penned to help people understand that they can choose to be happy. Its meaning has morphed, somewhat, for those in the sailing community. The 38th annual West Florida Ocean Racing Circuit, sanctioned by the Gulf Yachting Association, is evidence of that transformation. For 2012, the event, organized annually by Pensacola 68 December 2012
SOUTHWINDS
The Dr. Lindsay Riddle Cup for the “most competitive PHRF class” at the annual WFORC was won by TrippNautic, who also won their class. It is THE award every captain covets. Shown here is the winning crew. Photo by Julie B. Connerley.
Trippnautic, the winning boat at the WFORC. Photo by Julie B. Connerley.
Yacht Club, announced that the race committee would “segregate asymmetrical spinnaker boats from symmetrical to the extent they are able to provide for more competitive divisions.” This change was made in response to several discussions by GYA-member clubs regarding the proliferation of what boat manufacturers dub “sport boats”—those lighter displacement, asymmetrical, trailerable boats that are gaining popularity among sailing communities coast to coast. A majority of GYA representatives voted to see a separation of the traditional, heavier Performance Handicap Racing Formula boats and newer sport boats on the racecourse. The revised format was first used at the GYA’s Challenge Cup in June (at PYC) and then again at the WFORC. Nineteen boats registered. Six sport boats composed Class A. Both Class B and C were PHRF, with 6 and 7 boats respectively. PYC’s principal race officer for the event, John Matthews, planned for six races, but Friday’s lack of wind left the R/C wondering if it could even get one started! Almost two hours after the NOR’s start time, the regatta got underway. Saturday’s winds were better, providing competitors with three races and more stories to share around the bar. The last day was marked with “chamber of commerce” www.southwindsmagazine.com