Wrap up/results courtesy of David Billing, CWYC; Daily reports courtesy of George Szabo
Wrap Up: The Clearwater Yacht Club hosted the 62nd Snipe Midwinter Championship on March 12-14, 2000. The CYC has a long history with the Snipe class tradition and has hosted all sixty two of the Midwinter championships . This regatta is second only to the Snipe Nationals for longevity in the class.
The sailors had three great days of gulf racing. First place was won by George Szabo of San Diego, California. with crew Carol Cronin. Second Place was won by Javier Ocariz of Argentina with crew Nicolas Ocariz. Third place was won by Hal Gilreath of Atlanta, Georgia with crew Ned Jones. Hal is the son of CYC member Cookie Gilreath. The Levinson sportsmanship perpetual trophy was awarded to Edel Rager from Norway. The Blair Masters perpetual trophy was won by Gonzalo Diaz, Sr from Miami, Florida.
The Seavey woman's award was won by Carol Cronin. The Yachting committee appreciates the donation of the woman's trophy by Naomi Seavey.
The fleet consisted of 27 boats with 54 sailors and there was a distinct international flavor with Norway, Belgium, Japan, Argentina, and Canada represented. The club was also honored with the attendance of the International Snipe Commodore, Id Crook and his wonderful wife Ann from Oakville Ontariio, Canada.
Many thanks to Paul Tuggle as the principle race officer, members of the Yachting committee and the CYC who volunteered their time working race committee, and to our commodore, Kathleen Lamb for her support of the regatta. Also, big thanks to those who housed many of the visiting sailors. In a revival of an old tradition, several sailors were housed aboard member's boats at the CYC. The sailors really enjoyed this and we are hoping to expand this practice next year.
This is a fun regatta in which to become involved. Join the fun in March 2001 when the CYC will be hosting the 63rd Snipe Midwinter's.
Day 1:
So far so good. The container of new boats arrived in time for the regatta,
and the only car problems reported was Paul Cronin with a leaky radiator.
The drills were buzzing yesterday and the new boats were getting ready and
the sailing was great. This year we have a very international event with
three teams from Norway, two teams from Argentina, one from Belgium, a crew
from Japan, Canadians Commodore Id Crook, and many Americans.
The racing today saw 26 teams sailing in puffy winds of 8 - 15 and plenty of waves left over from the front that passed through last night for a great day of sailing. In the first race we saw several lead changes on beats and reaches with Ocariz, Pimental and Szabo fighting for the front. Ocariz was leading up the final beat, but a fouled line in a tack cost him first place. In the second race the fleet favored the right side for current, but those that went left early were rewarded with a good left shift. Sailing extremely well was the big team of Old Man Diaz with Son Gonzo hiking hard and rounding the second weather mark in second place.
After two races today, The Argentine team of the Ocariz brothers are tied with Szabo/Cronin with a 1, 2 each.
Day 2:
With a cold breeze coming off the land in the morning we headed out to the
race course in a confused breeze. Race three began with steady conditions at
the start. The Ocariz brothers showed us all how to sail on the first
triangle and built a large lead - unfortunately it was too large of a lead
when the wind died completely as the seabreeze tried to fill. The first
reach of the second triangle turned into a run and at times there was no
wind. The wind tried to fill from both sides at times making many teams go
crazy. Szabo/Cronin got the last lucky shift and were able to barely pass
the Ocariz brothers at the Jybe mark.
Race two was sailed in a 10 knot oscillating breeze. With the pin end slightly favored at the start, Hal Gilreath came from the left to take the lead and the win in the race. Peter Commette Sailing with his daughter held on to finish second in the race. Going into tomorrow there is only a one point spread between first and second after throwouts which should make for some exciting racing.
Tonight was the traditional Grapefruit and rum party followed by the Pizza party on the Welch's boat, but that is another story for another time.
Day 3:
With only a few points separating the leaders, the last two races of the
Midwinters were certain to be exciting. With winds of 5-10 knots forecast,
we were pleasantly surprised with puffy conditions in the 8-15 knot range.
The direction was offshore or the famous/dreaded "condo" breeze as the big
shifts are often referred to as when the wind swirls around the big
buildings upwind.
Race one had the boat end slightly favored but the leaders came from the left since there was more pressure on that side. At the first mark, the Ocariz brothers were once again out in front, followed closely by Doug Hart and George Szabo further back in third. As the two triangles were sailed, Ocariz held their lead but many lead changes were going on behind them in the shifty breeze. At the second weather mark, top crew ,Scott Lindley, got stuck to leeward after the pole was set for the reach, and in a good puff, Hart and Lindley turtled. Fortunately they were able to recover quickly and picked up most of the places they lost by the finish line. On the reaches, the very light team of Peter Commette sailing with his daughter Sheehan were seen passing many teams. I am sure they would have appreciated downwind finishes.
Going into the last race Ocariz was ahead by one point and looking strong. With the breeze continuing to be shifty, Szabo opted for the left end of the line which had worked well for the Ocariz brother in the first race while the Ocariz brothers opted for the right side of the course hoping for better wind. A large left shift filled just before the start causing quite a pile up at the pin end of the line. Szabo escaped and led at the first mark, while Ocariz was unable to find a good right shift to help get him back up to the front of the fleet. With Szabo winning the race and Ocariz sailing his throw out, the regatta win went to Szabo. Hal Gilreath was fought hard on the last beat to pass one more boat, looking to break the tie and get 2nd in the regatta. While the right was looking good for him most of the way up the last beat, a late left shift kept Pimental in front of him, which tied Gilreath (who had first time crew Ned Jones hiking hard) with Ocariz.
At the awards banquet the traditional voting was held for the sportsmanship award. Several people were nominated and the ballots were distributed. Normally people vote for only those nominated, but this year a write-in campaign was begun for Lisa Griffith. Her "sportsmanship" was said to be that she was still crewing for Lee Griffith. New Snipe owner Edel was awarded the sportsmanship award for having capsized twice on the first day, but having kept on sailing with smile and hat intact.
News from Miami next, but first we have to do some driving and get through Alligator Alley.
Complete Results:
| Pos | Sail# | Helmsman | Crew | Fleet | Race 1 | Race 2 | Race 3 | Race 4 | Race 5 | Race 6 | TotPts | Pos |
| 1 | USA 29672 | George Szabo | Carol Cronin | 1 | 2 | 1 | -6 | 3 | 1 | 8.00 | 1 | |
| 2 | ARG 28647 | Javier Ocariz | Nicolas Ocariz | 2 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 1 | -11 | 14.00 | 2 | |
| 3 | USA 29324 | Hal Gilreath | Ned Jones | -11 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 14.00 | 3 | |
| 4 | USA 29699 | Andrew Pimental | Monique Gaylor | 3 | 8 | 10 | 3 | -24DNF | 2 | 26.00 | 4 | |
| 5 | NOR 29630 | Jansen Burger | Liv Ulveie | master | 5 | 5 | -11 | 9 | 2 | 9 | 30.00 | 5 |
| 6 | USA 29204 | Lee Griffith | Lisa Griffith | 4 | 6 | -12 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 30.00 | 6 | |
| 7 | USA 29314 | Doug Hart | Scott Lindley | 7 | 7 | -9 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 31.00 | 7 | |
| 8 | USA 29114 | Peter Commette | Sheehan Commette | 9 | 13 | -19 | 2 | 8 | 5 | 37.00 | 8 | |
| 9 | USA 28814 | Gonzalo Diaz Sr | Gonzalo Diaz | master | 6 | 4 | -13 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 39.00 | 9 |
| 10 | USA 29572 | Charlie Bustamante | Michele Bustamante | -18 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 12 | 6 | 43.00 | 10 | |
| 11 | USA 29592 | Paul Cromin | Emily French | 8 | 10 | 4 | -20 | 15 | 16 | 53.00 | 11 | |
| 12 | USA 29602 | Jerry Blouin | Joe Blouin | 10 | -16 | 7 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 61.00 | 12 | |
| 13T | USA 24702 | Jerry Thompson | Alan Capellin | master | 17 | 14CNF | -18 | 10 | 7 | 13 | 61.00 | 13T |
| 14T | BLG 27141 | Thierry Denhartigh | Greet Jansen | 13 | -19CNF | 14 | 15 | 9 | 10 | 61.00 | 14T | |
| 15 | USA 29550 | Colin Park | Karen park | master | 15 | 20CNF | 6 | 12 | 13 | -26DNC | 66.00 | 15 |
| 16 | USA 29696 | John Papadopoulos | Stephanie Failler | 16 | -19 | 5 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 70.00 | 16 | |
| 17 | USA 29014 | Don Hackbarth | Yuki Yanaga | master | 12 | 11 | 20 | -22 | 11 | 17 | 71.00 | 17 |
| 18 | USA 29373 | Matt Bryant | Ann Rogers | -26DNC | 26DNC | 15 | 21 | 14 | 8 | 84.00 | 18 | |
| 19 | ARG 29730 | Matias Arrambide | Carlos Wybert | 14 | 17 | 17 | 19 | -24RET | 20 | 87.00 | 19 | |
| 20 | NOR 29673 | Halvord Poulsson | Edel Rager | 19 | 20 | 21 | -23 | 18 | 18 | 96.00 | 20 | |
| 21 | USA 29400 | Bill Welch | Susan Wallace | master | 20 | 18 | 23 | 16 | 19 | -26DNC | 96.00 | 21 |
| 22 | USA 25659 | Ray Schmit | Betty Williams | 23 | 22 | 16 | 14 | 24DNF | -26DNC | 99.00 | 22 | |
| 23 | USA 26397 | Robert Foster | Michelle Fuchs | master | 22 | 21 | -28OCS | 17 | 24DNF | 19 | 103.00 | 23 |
| 24 | USA 28628 | John Hill | Chris Hurst | master | 21 | 23 | -25TLM | 24 | 20 | 21 | 109.00 | 24 |
| 25 | NOR 29632 | Jorn Haga | Marianne Haga | master | -26DNC | 26DNC | 22 | 25 | 26DNC | 26DNC | 125.00 | 25 |
| 26 | USA 29266 | Joe Bridges | Mary Thomas | master | -26DNC | 26DNC | 26DNC | 26DNC | 26DNC | 26DNC | 130.00 | 26 |