L to R, top: Carol Sandke, Rick Evans, Alex Dean, Jamie Deale, Rob Eberle, Jack Bond. Bottom: George Evans, Sonja Dean (overall winner), and Kara Wheeler (top youth sailor) This year’s youth champion, Kara Wheeler of Oriental, NC, cites Olympian Anna Tunnicliffe as her inspiration and septuagenarian Sunfish sailor George Secrest, also of Oriental, NC, as her mentor. “The Sunfish class is known for being generous with knowledge,” stated Race Committee Chair Rob Eberle. “It’s important to help young sailors become the best they can be. It’s good for them, it’s good competition, and it’s good for the sport.” Kara, George, and Rob also hone their skills during the winter Hot Toddy Series. From the bridge, spectator cheers cascaded across the water. Spectators also had great views from the national park headquarters, where the shoreline leads to the finish. Long-time competitor Phil Coccari tested an aerial platform (remote-controlled helicopter) for his GoPro camera during the practice race. “That’s sooo cool,” said young Katherine Dean, who was crewing for her mother. Mackerel skies, a 10- to 15-knot breeze, and cooler than normal temperatures made the 10-mile race a pleasure on Saturday. Race committee experience and energy trumped light air and menacing skies on Sunday, giving sailors three good races with progressively shorter courses and time to get to shore before thunderstorms hit. No need to rinse the boats! Proceeds support youth sailing in North Carolina. The event’s sponsors include: Wells Fargo Advisors; Goslings Rum; Pepsi, Annapolis Performance Sailing, Hightower Electronics, United Yacht Sales of the Carolinas, Triton Yacht Sales, Deaton Yacht Service, West Marine, Eberle Marine Surveys, Prospective Technologies, Wayfarer’s Cove Marine, Sailcraft Services, Nautical Wheelers, Intensity Sails, Carol Fordon-Ella Vickers, and Carteret Craven Electric Cooperative. For information on next year’s event, contact Rob Eberle at eberlemarine@gmail.com. Visit the regatta website at www.mobyachtclub.com, or like us on Facebook. For information on Sunfish racing in the Southeast, contact Larry Mass at mass143@bellsouth.net. For photos, contact Marylinda Ramos through www.mlramos.photoshelter.com. News & Views for Southern Sailors
Long-time regatta competitor Phil Coccari tested an aerial platform (remote-controlled helicopter) for his GoPro camera during the practice race. Results: Round-the-Island: 1, Sonya Dean (1st Overall); 2, Jamie Deale; 3, Alex Dean; 4, Kara Wheeler (Top Youth Sailor); 5, Jack Bond. Buoy Races: 1, Sonya Dean; 2, George Secrest; 3, Kara Wheeler; 4, Reiner Reppenfeld; 5, Mark Henley
One Stop Shop: Custom Sails Rigging Electronics
SOUTHWINDS September 2013
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