2018 Palm Beach Gardens Valentine's Regatta Report
Alan Perkins comes from behind for the win
By George Balaschak

Florida EC-12 Association 2018 Valentines Regatta Report Submitted by George Balaschak The fourth Regatta of the Florida EC-12 Association 2017-2018 series was hosted by the Palm Beach Gardens Model Yacht Squadron on Feb 10 &11 2018. Perfect weather for the tourists at Lake Victoria, but challenging winds for the skippers was in store for the weekend.

The Valentine’s Regatta weekend started Friday night with a party at Chester and Libby Brewer’s home. Guitar picking and singing by Rich Mojica joined by Jon Luscomb playing his mandolin was a treat. Lots of snacks, food and drink and good conversation prepped the skippers for the two day regatta.

Saturday morning the wind was SE and a two and a half lap course was set. Nineteen EC-12 skippers divided into two fleets sailing in the Progression-Relegation fleet management system made for 11 or 12 of the big boats on the starting line. At the end of Saturday’s races Earnan Scavella was solidly in first place, with a 9 point lead over second place Alan Perkins.

Saturday evening found most of us at Duffy’s Sports grill in the private upstairs room for food, drink and socializing.

The winds persisted in blowing from the SE on Sunday managing to get to B rig conditions and challenging all with huge blasts and shifts. On Sunday the perennial front runner Alan Perkins posted a second and three firsts to swoosh past Earnan. Joe Walter moved up to third,, Doc Greer in 4th, and Chuck Millican in 5th. The Valentines Regatta heart shaped bamboo cutting board trophies made by Jon Luscomb were a big hit.

The friendly but intense competition with laughter and kidding among the sailors was obvious to all even passers-by. This has become a habit, and a good one, at the Florida EC-12 regattas.

A big THANK YOU to Race Director Chester, Chief Scorekeeper John Biles, Jon the Chief No Bull Chili maker, Ann Gelina for the banana bread and caramel chocolate gooey goodies, and all who helped makes the Valentines Regatta such a fun event, especially the ladies who made sure we did not go hungry.

Final Results

  Skipper Sail # Points  
1 Alan Perkins 14 39  
2 Earnan Scavella 147 52  
3 Joe Walter 24

57

  
4 Robert Greer 152 62  
5 Chuck Millican 2180 70  
6 Gerhard Kelter 18 71  
7 Steve Pfeil 15 76 tie breaker
8 Jon Luscomb 45 76  
9 Liz Perkins 217 103  
10 Jim Kaighin 2020 106  
11 Bill Newman 2100

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12 Fred Greco 84 119  
13 George Balaschak 2200 130  
14 Don Hain 967 164  
15 Terry McMullen 40 177  
16 John Goldsworthy 48 181  
17 Dennis Headburg 2966 186  
18 Frank Ligon 97 195  
19 Joe Ruschak 187 230  

 

 

 

Click on the photo to see a great YouTube video by Brent Headberg.