1997 GFU Regatta

The Mission Bay Snipe Fleet has done it again hosting the 16th annual 24 hour
regatta.  A field of seven teams competed this year under some of the
harshest conditions ever seen for this event.  Weather was beautiful, warm
and sunny with perhaps the best night of the year.  The stars were out and
evening temperatures were very warm and muggy (for San Diego anyway).  The
regatta began Saturday afternoon at 1:55 P.M. in about 10 knots of wind, but
it quickly died to the 4 - 8 range.  By 7:00, conditions were hot and glassy
(way better for surfing than sailing) and the wind would not reapear until
8:30 A.M. the following morning  This made for 2 - 3 hour laps around
Vacation Isle but also served to bolster the motivation to party as the
Lomatones (local S.D. rock band) agreed that we didn't have to sail after
9.00 P.M. as long as we kept dancing to their music.  Fleet #495 broke new
ground this year by having the evening festivities outdoors on MBYC's private
beach.  Snipers danced barefoot in the sand under the starlit skies, with
many moving out on the raft for their dancing pleasure despite the 25 yard
swim.  Cocktails were swam out to the group at regular intervals.  It is
significant that the top 4 teams were loaded with some of the best Snipe
sailors in the land, yet the winning boat was a McLaughlin after 24 hours of
sailing.  The second and 3rd place boats were well-sailed Persson Snipes.
 Competition was extremely close with the winner in doubt right up to the
finish.

Results:

Team Newport "TheTwi-light Zone"  Team captain Jeff Lenhart
Heaven's Gate Shuttle Service
24 Hours for 24 Feet.  Don Bedford Where Are You?
When Sheep Were Scared
Team Screwballs
Team Tall Cool Ones
Team Martini "Shakin"

Look to next August for the 17the edition of this event.  All you need is one
boat and about  12-20 team members.  The regatta takes care of the attutudes.
Everyone is welcome, so make your plans for next year.

Bob Bowden