The Villages 2018 Happy New Year Regatta Report
Alan Perkins continues his winning ways
by John Goldsworthy

The Villages – Happy New Year Regatta January 13,14, 2018 The Villages, FL The Villages Model Yacht Squadron hosted the third leg of the Florida EC12 Association winter regatta series this past Saturday and Sunday. It could have been called the Frostbite Regatta. Saturday morning the temperatures were in the mid-forties with strong, chilling winds. Sunday morning the temperature at race time was 38. I thought this was supposed to be Florida!

We had a super turnout of 26 boars from several states and one from the Bahamas. I tried my hand as first time RD. The boats were divided into two fleets with promotion/relegation. This arrangement meant 15 boats on the starting line with four up and four down each race. Saturday, the winds cooperated, coming primarily from the east at 6-10 knots. There were some occasional knock-down gusts, but everyone seemed to handle them well.

Friday evening, we all attended a reception hosted by Ken Morrison, his daughter Kim Dispennett and her husband Bob. It was great seeing old friends again and ringing in the New Year together. Our three hosts put on quite a party. Saturday evening, we all met at Arnold Palmer Legends Country Club for dinner. As usual, the food, drinks and camaraderie were super.

Sunday was a bit of a disappointment with the winds coming from the north – the worst direction for our pond. We changed the course a couple of times trying to get some fair courses with reasonable beats. Our goal was quality racing not quantity. However, we did manage to get in 13 series with one throw-out.

When the scores were finally tabulated Sunday noon, the regatta winner was Alan Perkins. Alan was everywhere during the two days helping those with technical difficulties and those just needing some coaching.

I feel everyone had a good time despite the cold temperatures and we hope you’ll all return again next year. The final standings are given below.

  Skipper Points  
1 Alan Perkins
32
  
2 David Brawner
58
  
3 Joe Walter
61
4 Reichard Kahle
65
5 Don Ouimette
86
  
6 Jon Luscomb
88
  
7 Jack Ward
95
8 Skip Allen
96
9 Gerhard Kelter, Jr
98
  
10 Martin Gray
105
  
11 Chuck Millican
111
 Tie breaker
12 Jim Kaighin
111
  
13 Earnan Scavella
118
  
14 Don Hain
156
  
15 George Balaschak
157
  
16 Dick Reinke
192
17 Jim Rutherford
193
18 Liz Perkins
210
 Tie breaker
19 Brenda Pardee
210
  
20 Dan Pearce
221
21 Calvin Obara
228
  
22 Mary Hain
253
 Tie breaker
23 Frank Vella
253
  
24 Frank Ligon
280
  
25 Jim Pardee
Did not sail on Sunday
26 Joe Fanelli
Did not sail on Sunday

Alan Perkins receives his first place awards from RD John Goldsworthy.