| St. Petersburg
Regatta Report
by Brenda Pardee
St. Pete turned into a number of historical events.
It was first time Brenda Pardee ever chaired a regatta and the first
time in twenty-five years of teaching that she was glad to return to
instructing 8th grade algebra on Monday. In between there was sixteen
races for both A-fleet and B-fleet complete with exceptional challenges.
First, there was Mother Nature who dictated a course where the windward
mark was at the outer limits of a sailor’s ability to see. On top
of that, Saturday’s
winds began light and fluky at best. By 11 am only one race for the A-fleet
sailors had been completed. Everyone stood by helplessly as Jim Pardee,
Course Director, rode in the rescue boat around and around trying to
set a competitive course. Finally, after lunch from Checkers, the wind
filled in and by the end of the first afternoon, A-fleet had completed
8 races and B managed 6.
All frustrations were quickly forgotten
that evening as everyone gathered at the most luxurious Beef O’Brady’s
that Central Florida has to offer (Thanks Dee Dudinsky). It was a perfect
night for fellowship out on the veranda although some of the “ole
salts” missed
the previous year’s belly dancer.
Sunday morning arrived bright and early (too early
for some) and the challenges continued. This day would eventually end
with winds that frequently blew down-wind sailors out of control, a
starting line angle that snared more than one sailor for line-of-sight
violations, and, unfortunately, tempers that flared right and left
from both the competitors and the race committee members. By noon it
was a relief to most when Ken Morrison, US sailing judge, announced
that both fleets had completed sixteen races. Brenda
quickly declared the fun was over.
Luckily, since memories for most of us are also a challenge,
trophy time arrived and again inspired all to forgive and forget. Hugs
and handshakes were given all around as well as promises to “see you in Orlando!” Brenda
reports, believe it or not, she already has one volunteer for her next
year’s committee (Several of you be forewarned: she has her eye out
to shang-hi you as well!)
Gold-Fleet Results
| |
Skipper |
Sail # |
Points |
|
| 1 |
Alan Perkins |
14 |
52 |
|
| 2 |
Baron Bremer |
81 |
57 |
|
| 3 |
John Bottensek |
11 |
72 |
|
| 4 |
Dick Hedderick |
39 |
74 |
|
| 5 |
Bob Greer |
152 |
75 |
|
| 6 |
Bob Brown |
611 |
76 |
|
| 7 |
Jon Luscomb |
45 |
77 |
|
| 8 |
John Steacy |
57 |
81* |
tie breaker |
| 9 |
Fred Pfeil |
10 |
81 |
|
| 10 |
Bud Cassidy |
21 |
103 |
|
| 11 |
Martin Gray |
83 |
107 |
|
Silver-Fleet Results
| |
Skipper |
Sail # |
Points |
|
| 1 |
Steve Pfeil |
316 |
35 |
|
| 2 |
Dick Reinke |
36 |
41 |
|
| 3 |
Bud Elder |
13 |
42 |
|
| 4 |
Frank Vella |
24 |
48.4 |
|
| 5 |
Frankie Novak |
66 |
68.4 |
|
| 6 |
Bob Armbruster |
|
77 |
|
| 7 |
Herb Mitton |
50 |
84 |
Won Ancient Mariner |
| 8 |
Al Stall |
79 |
104 |
|
| 9 |
Ed Atkinson |
|
107 |
|
| 10 |
Laura Niehus |
17 |
108 |
Earned free entry to 2012 |
| 11 |
Art Laferriere |
|
156 |
Did not sail on Sunday |
Sorry folks, I have a few sail numbers to figure out. Maybe some one
can let me know.
|
Click
here for photos by Bob Greer and company
|
