instruct the competitors during the two days prior to the championship with his “Speeed Seminars” (one seminar in a classroom setting, one on the water) that are geared toward sail trim, hoists and tactics. This hands-on training offered a great chance for the contestants to better their efforts during this year’s event. Thirty boats in four classes and over 100 sailors took to the waters surrounding Pensacola over a six-day period beginning April 22. Partly cloudy skies with a 6- to 10-knot southeasterly breeze welcomed the sailors on their first day where PRO Fairlie Brinkley provided three separate windward/leeward races to get the party started. A long-distance offshore racecourse sending sailors out through the Pensacola Pass to the #1 sea buoy and back to the inland waters of the bay was scheduled for the second day. Light winds and heavy currents provided some interesting challenges during this 18-mile course. Day three competition was delayed by a severe weather system that promised lightning, hail and the possibility of tornadoes. Eventually, the racing was canceled, giving the participants a day off to re-energize. Day four offered an interesting mix of wind conditions. The day started out with northwesterly winds at 6 to 10 knots during the first two races. Then came an unexpected change in wind direction and strength out of the southwest at 18 to 20 knots for the last two races. During the third and fourth races, with the approach of strong winds from the south, competitors were battered about the racecourse
News & Views for Southern Sailors
where even the best sailors had difficulties with their spinnaker hoists, making the last day of the regatta one of the most challenging. Last year’s National Champion Don Wigston finished first in his Open Class division but ended up in second place overall behind this year’s 2007 National Winner, Randy Smythe, who captured the Ian Farrier National Championship Trophy on his F25 C trimaran named YO. Randy and his crew finished with an impressive eight-point total – with six first-place finishes, one second place, and a fifth on the final race. Each competitor was allowed one throw-out race, leaving Randy with eight points total. During the last race, Randy’s team experienced spinnaker trouble including the infamous hourglass (twisted spinnaker) during the rough seas and strong winds, but they quickly recovered and sailed on to victory. Bob Hodges from the Pontchartrain Yacht Club on his Sprint 750 earned the award for the top finish by an amateur competitor finishing in a respectable fifth place overall. Glenn Howell finished first in his class division (C-31) on his trimaran Adios! and finished in fourth overall. Steven Marsh wrapped up the class division for the C28-R fleet on his boat Dealer’s Choice, earning him a first in class and third overall. Rounding off the top six competitors finishes is this year’s Key West Amateur Sailor Award winner, Cliff Farrah from the Fort Walton Yacht Club on his C28 R, Strategy 3. For additional information and photographs, go to www.GulfSailing.com.
SOUTHWINDS
June 2007
51