The Villages 2013 Gator Regatta Report
Bremer and Rowley are top of the fleets

by Alan Perkins
The 6th and final regatta of the Florida EC12 Racing Association was held on May 19 & 20, in The Villages. The beautiful Ashland Pond was the scene and 30 skippers from four states were entered including the venerable Rick West all the way from California. The host club was The Lake Sumter EC12 Model Yacht Club led by Alan Perkins.

Alan had all ready wrapped up the championship of the Florida Series with wins at the previous five venues. This time as Race Director, Alan with his team of helpers put forth a brilliant show from start to finish beginning with a Friday evening reception in their home. Alan and Liz hosted over 50 participants and guests with all the trimmings and even included a Micro Magic exhibition on the back door pond.

Saturday morning brought sunshine, heat and very modest winds. As the “A” sails went up “freshening” winds to about 4 mph served to move the boats with patience. Skippers were divided into Gold and Silver Fleets according to national rankings with Brenda Pardee making the Gold Fleet based on her big time performance at Palm Beach Garden Regatta. After the first day of sailing rankings were tight in both fleets, Baron Bremer leading the Gold and John Rowley the Silver fleet and everyone was looking forward to Sunday.

Saturday night dinner was arranged at the nearby Arnold Palmer Country Club and as the saying goes, “a good time was had by all”.

Sunday brought more heat and more light winds out of the South East. RD Perkins managed to get the first two Gold races off in a reasonable breeze with Jon Luscomb showing his pace over Ricky Gerry. The breeze lightened and smaller courses were set which suited Tom Phillips who rolled off two bullets in a row followed by two further bullets by Jon Luscomb. Baron Bremer all this time following closely defending his overall lead. Between the Gold races the Silver fleet had its own challenges with local skipper John Santoro getting his first bullet in his first ever EC12 Regatta. John Rowley followed Baron's example and kept in the first few boats each race to clinch the Silver fleet with 27 points over second place Ruben Caseres who managed one bullet finishing with 55 points. With the wind diminishing only a total of 14 races in each fleet were completed.

The two International Judges had a challenge when Joe Walters submitted a protest to them that Jon Luscomb had obtained outside assistance from a bird landing on his mast. After careful consideration and tears of laughter the protest was throw out.

Trophies were presented to the first four places in each fleet as well as a trophy for the first lady in the Gold Fleet Brenda Pardee and the first two ladies in the Silver Fleet, Becky Gerry and Judy Clarke. Manners and sportsmanship prevailed and The Lake Sumter Club looks forward to hosting the first regatta of the 2013/’14 EC12 Florida Association Series next fall on October 26th & 27th. Mark your calendar.

Summary of the 8th Annual Gator Regatta

• Class: EC12
• Date: May 19 & 20
• Location: The Villages, Florida
• Host Club: The Lake Sumter EC12 Model Yacht Club
• Entries: 29
• Winds: light SE
• Races Completed: 14 in both Gold and Silver fleets
• Scoring System: Low Point with one throw out
• Regatta Committee and Valuable Assistances:
  • Alan Perkins, RD; Thomas Lange, Chief Scorer; Ken Morrison, Rules and Protests; Joe Devine, Search and Rescue; Liz Perkins Food & Beverage Administration; Tom Tannert, Line Judge; Gary Clarke, Launching Assistance; JC Peck, Regatta Expediter and the rest of the Lake Sumter Crew and wives.

Click here to see photos taken by Karen Luscomb and Bob Greer.

Gold Fleet Results

Silver Fleet Results