GTMYC EC12 APRIL FOOL’S 2006
REGATTA
I
think if you’re given the chance or if you are ever asked to R/D
a regatta, just do it. By doing so it gives one a greater
appreciation for the hobby and your fellow skippers. I was
thanked many times by the skippers in attendance. Little did
they know it was the skippers that made the event what it was.
The R/D and his Army of volunteers, just keep things moving and
in order. But I do have to say, after all was said and done, it
was a great experience and I think if you’re asked, you should
take the chance. Everyone should experience running a regatta.
The EC-12 Saint Petersburg,
GTMYC April Fool’s Regatta, as it was called this year, took
place on April 1st and 2nd at Freedom
Lake. Talking about the Lake, I would like to acknowledge the
City of Pinellas Park for the continued support and facility’s
they provide for us. This can be seen by the commitment they
made by adding an exclusive dock for R/C sailing use (it is a
work in progress). Rumor has it that the combined cost of our
dock and the fishing dock on the other side of the Lake was in
excess of $35,000. That is what I call a commitment.
The St. Pete GTMYC regatta has
always had a great following and history that goes back decades.
We have always attracted quite a large group of spectators /
visitors / skippers to our Regatta’s. But this year I believe we
broke attendance records for competing skippers in an EC12
non-National event. We had 29 skippers sailing in the new two
fleet scoring system. For more information please visit our web
suite at www.GTMYC.org
We started on Saturday with winds out of the Southeast from 2-5
mph. By lunch they shifted to the South and then around to the
West. On Sunday we arrived at the Lake in a dead calm, but by
sailing time we were back at the 2-5 mph range that continued
all weekend. With the shift in wind direction, original course
adjustments were needed, but with the number of different marks
on the Lake it never seamed to be a problem.
We were able to get a total of 26 races in, over the weekend.
Those that were in the Gold Fleet sailed 14 and 12 in the Silver
Fleet. Each fleet would sail in two races and then alternate
with the other fleet. The skippers were entitled to one
throw-out. Awards were granted to the first four positions in
each fleet. Since this was a GREEN CHEVRON REGATTA – each of the
first three positions in the Gold Fleet were also awarded
chevrons.
Of the 24 races sailed, first place finishes were shared by 8 of
the skippers! Not all of them that won a heat (got a 1st
place), finished with an award. On the finish line we had 3 line
spotters with pen & pads and a 4th with a tape
recorder. More than once that tape was rewound and played back
for the official results. In the Gold fleet, at the end of the
day on Saturday, Joe Walter went to dinner with a 7 point lead
over John Bottensek and 9 point lead over Reichard. As you will
see in the final results, what a difference a day makes! Silver
fleet racing was even closer by Saturdays end, with Bob Brown
just 2 points ahead of Kent Fardell and 4 points ahead of Dick
Hitchcock. Again looking at the final results and seeing the
finishing shuffle, it sure shows how the level of expertise is
tightening up within the fleet.
I
didn’t see or was aware of any collisions on the water that
caused damage to the boats, which always makes for a nice
weekend.
There were two incidents that did require a review by the Race
Committee to see if a redress would be granted. The committee
found each one to be justified and granted the requests. And
yes we had an International sailing judge on loan from The
Villages, Ken Morrison, which was a treat to have; if a question
came up he made him self available in both official and
unofficial capacity.
Dinner was at a new restaurant that is also new to the states. I
was told they are big in Europe, but this is the first one in
the U.S. It is the Buffalo Steakhouse, and yes they do serve
Bison. Maybe that’s what did Joe in on Sunday. A drawing was
held at dinner for some gag gifts, which I can still hear a few
of the skippers asking when can I use the “One Free Penalty
Turn” Certificate? Earlier in the day I did see Harry with a
“Kick Me” sign on his back, did anyone take him up on this?
Remember this was April Fool’s day.
Prior to the official awards being handed out on Sunday, a
drawing was held for all skippers and volunteers still present
for 6 pairs of the legendry GTMYC boat pajamas. They were won
by, Al Dion, Art Laferriere, Bob Brown, Jack Wubbe, John
Bottensek & John Garver.
The awards, which consisted of official U.S. Sailing Medal in a
wood frame, were awarded to the top four in both of the fleets.
Once again before I list the skippers, I would like to thank and
compliment my group of volunteers. I cannot thank them enough
for their help that allowed us to have the great regatta that we
did. I extend my gratitude to:
|
Kev Basmaci |
Dee Dudinsky |
Bob Crane |
John Light |
|
|
Fred Meigel |
Jackie Mills |
Kay Crane |
Helen Quinn |
|
|
Skip Quinn |
Bill Marios |
Bob Smith |
Derry Mount |
|
|
Joyce Zellanack |
Ed Atkinson |
Fred Hagaman |
Ken Morrison |
|
And the final standings are;
GOLD FLEET
Skipper |
Sail
# |
Points |
Finishing Position |
Reichard Kahle |
1767 |
36 |
1 |
Joe
Walter |
24 |
42 |
2 |
John
Bottensek |
11 |
62 |
3 |
Bob
Dudinsky |
95 |
64 |
4 |
Jack
Wubbe |
64 |
88 |
5 |
Mike
Zellanack |
80 |
88.5 |
6 |
John
Rowley |
1722 |
91* |
7 |
Rick
West |
94 |
91* |
8 |
Baron
Bremer |
81 |
114 |
9 |
Bob
Greer |
1467 |
117 |
10 |
Brett
Biwer |
1639 |
119 |
11 |
Ed
Gelina |
1802 |
131 |
12 |
Tom
Germer |
1822 |
132 |
13 |
Harry
Strunk |
1957 |
139 |
14 |
Jim
Pardee |
6 |
150 |
15 |
SILVER FLEET
Skipper |
Sail
# |
Points |
Finishing Position |
Dick
Hitchcock |
71 |
35.6 |
1 |
Bob
Brown |
11 |
37.4 |
2 |
John
Jennings |
71 |
46 |
3 |
Al Dion |
74 |
50 |
4 |
Kent
Farndell |
27 |
56 |
5 |
David
Mains |
66 |
68 |
6 |
John
Harrington |
19 |
70.8 |
7 |
John
Garver |
1560 |
74 |
8 |
Bud
Elder |
1313 |
76 |
9 |
Dick
Reinke |
1724 |
87 |
10 |
John
Egizi |
84 |
103 |
11 |
Jim
Carter |
940 |
116 |
12 |
Art
Laferriere |
38 |
120 |
13 |
Bob
Hill |
2022 |
123 |
14 |
|