Fifty Konas raced in the North American Championship in Clearwater, FL. Photo by Magi Foster.
you just were not of the competitive weight range for the class, you might want to give Kona a second look. This board has tremendous volume, yet with scary speed for a long board in a blow. Sail sizes for five different weight classes equalize weight differences for a near perfect handicap system that exists nowhere else in small-sailboat racing. In full-on, “Kona” spirit, the full race results take second place to the fun and camaraderie of the gathering of racers, friends and family, as it should be.
37th Sarasota Yacht Club Invitational Regatta, Sarasota, FL, Nov. 4 By Emma Bruno
Escows at the start at the Sarasota Yacht Club Invitational Regatta on Nov. 4. In the lead is the winning boat, No Ego, skippered by Robert Blomquist. Photo by Emma Bruno.
The sun was shining and the wind was blowing for this annual regatta. SYC makes the regatta a full weekend affair with the skippers’ meeting and opening night party at the club on Friday evening. Participants were invited to enjoy an evening of great food, drinks and entertainment, featuring a remote-controlled regatta with the Sarasota Model Yacht Club fleet. Racing was on Saturday morning, followed by a delicious pig roast dinner by SYC’s Executive Chef Anthony Puccio to close out the weekend. This year, SYC was lucky enough to receive a sponsorship from Mount Gay Rum; their iconic red caps could be spotted on participating boats across Sarasota Bay. Sixty-nine boats raced in the regatta. PHRF classes sailed a pursuit race while one-design boats sailed a windward/leeward course. As with previous years, SYC partnered with Sarasota Youth Sailing; 35 youth sailors set out on the bay alongside longtime sailors, making the regatta a race for all ages. News & Views for Southern Sailors
First place winners included: Dave Ettinger and crew (Cruiser Class, Spindrift), Doug Dearden and crew (NonSpin, In Tune), Bob Miller and crew (Pocket Cruiser, Miller Lite), and Bill Johnsen and crew (Multihulls, Sun Spot). Doug Fisher and crew (Encore) took first place in Spinnaker Class, as well as taking first place overall. SYC also awarded the top three overall SYC members, including Greg Petrat and crew (White Hawk) in third, Blair McCracken and crew (Scots and H20) in second, and Michelle Lee and crew (Coming in Hot) in first. Thanks to the hard work of SYC’s staff, volunteers, sponsors, and members, led by Waterfront Director Will Stocke. The 37th Annual Regatta was their largest one yet, and they’re looking to grow the event even further for the 38th. See you next year for fun, friends, and sailing camaraderie on Sarasota Bay. For a video of the event, go to www.sarasotayachtclub.org.
SOUTHWINDS
December 2017
69