Midwinters, Clearwater, FL

Sunday, March 10

Wow what a day!!!
If you were not on the water in Clearwater, you missed it. Clear blue skies, light green emerald water, 65-75degrees, with 10-15kts predicted. The race committee was up early and had the fleet off the dock by 1000, just when the wind started picking up. Wet-suits and lifejackets were essential wardrobe today, and it was BIG_WATER at it's best.

They took us 1 1/2 miles off the beach to minimize the current effect coming from the north. But the waves were the story; no one had time to think about the current. You know when the RC boat is turned sideways to the wind that it is trying to tell you something. Well today the RC boat was straight in the wind but the bow was going under to the cabin top with the big waves. Wonder what that means?

Another hint was the 24 foot fishing boat that flipped near our weather mark and had to be rescued by the Coast Guard and our mark boat. That was a definite distraction; blue lights flashing tearing into our course, and the mark boat having to throw out the change-of-course mark to make enough room for the half drowned fisherman to come on board. There were eight of them and only three life jackets.

Fortunately few of our astute snipe sailors were confused with the multiple windward marks, and we then went on a screaming reach. The rides were incredible; 18kts (felt like 25) with swells of 3 feet and an occasional wave higher than the boom. You could not get off a plane even if you tried. The wind and waves built during the day with occasional puffs over 20kts. Several boats flipped, five went in, but the rest of us stayed out for three long races.

The real thrill was the ride in. The tide shifted before we came in so the current was going out at about 1/2 kt and the wind was from the Northwest at 18kts, creating a series of 5-6 foot standing waves at the breakwater. That was definitely an E-ticket ride. Making things more interesting was the 10,000 spring-breakers packed onto the beach, about 50 power boats cruising the beach in the inlet, rock bands trying to play reggae, and the para-sailors and fishing fleet all squeezed into the mix. Fortunately the new bridge is easy to get through, and we all were freezing by the time we got on shore. Bill & Sherry Welch

The Midwinters continued today with light easterly winds as predicted. It was warmer but everyone was remembering the chill from yesterday, and a few were just now warming up.

The harbor start came early, and we headed out Clearwater Pass with 8kts from the east. With the wind in this direction the windward mark was directly towards the condos that seem to be growing everyday along Sand Key. The swell from yesterday's northwesterly was still running so that when you were on port-tack upwind, the swell was directly behind you and it was possible to surf upwind. There were real wind shifts, in direction and velocity today, which allowed everyone to practice their tactics both upwind and down.

The wind built until the middle of the second race when the seabreeze (westerly) began to win out over the prevailing easterly, so the wind began to weaken for the third race. After all of the great wind yesterday this 6-8kts with holes was difficult. At the second leeward mark, the end of the fleet sat in a hole for a few minutes, then set their poles with the new seabreeze (180 degree shift). The remarkable thing was that it took more than 15min for the seabreeze to actually sweep over the entire course, and filled in earlier on the right than on the left. Bibi had been leading the whole race and remained in the lead even with the wind shift, as the RC shortened the course at the third windward (now leeward) mark. The fleet did not give the RC time to setup for another race and started sailing in with a weak westerly.

The fleet was slow to get out of the water and re-congregated at 1700 for the famous rum-grapefruit party followed by the pizza party on the Welch's boat, 'Sails'. The gang hung around for four hours eating tons of pizza and consuming way too much beer. When we found six men and three women in Birger's bedroom we knew it was time to call it a night. Tomorrow it is supposed to be 10-15 from the south and clear skies, for our last race, then we pack up the boats and go to Miami for another regatta. Bill & Sherry Welch

I think the best day of a regatta is the last day just before the actual event begins: everyone is positive and excited about sailing, nothing has broken yet, and your best friend sailing your old boat with even older sails has not yet passed you to leeward on a reach. That was today. Everyone was working together rigging and adjusting, side-by-side and having a grand time. All the new boats required final fittings and even some new holes to be drilled, and the older boats all had things that needed to be repaired or replaced forgotten since the last regatta.

All the regulars are here, soaking up the fine Florida sun, and spending time with 60-80 of their closest friends. The Clearwater Yacht Club is doing their best to make sure everything is going well, even the Commodore himself is our race committee chairman.

Bob Foster was amazed at all of the strings on his new Persson. He is grateful that his crew (Karen Goforth) will immediately know what to do with all of those controls. He explained that they did not make Snipes like this when he bought his last boat (1984).

Chris & Antoinette Klotz picked up their new Persson (Hal Gilreath's old boat) Unfortunately they have decided not to sail this regatta with their new toy, and will be returning to St. Pete and practice for the upcoming spring-summer series. Hal is taking delivery of his new JibeTech. Hans Birkholz and his crew Josie Williams, spent the morning rigging their new JibeTech, with assistance from Andy Pimmental, then went sailing this afternoon. It is a beautiful boat, fast, and everything works perfectly.

The cold front that has been screaming across the south, is loosing gas and will probably poop out right on top of us tomorrow, rather than blow us off the water. That is a great relief with all of these new boats going out for the first time tomorrow. We are having a great time; first race is at 1100 tomorrow. Bill & Sherry Welch

No surprise George Szabo and Brian Janey continued their strong performance and won the Midwinters easily. Today the wind was from the South East as predicted but was variable in strength and direction making the tactics frustrating and more challenging. Frequently all crews were at full hike and depowering, then moments later powering-up and sitting in. The waves were small due to the direction of the wind and the short time that it had been blowing, so surfing was infrequent. Up-wind it was playing the shifts, and avoiding the holes. I'm not sure why the waves are bigger in the holes? Six races had already been completed, so we only sailed one race today, then reached in to the dock and packed up to move to Miami. Hal Gilreath picked up his fifth place trophy from last year, and Bibi Juetz was awarded the Levinson Sportsmanship Award. The quote of the day was from Nancy Gilreath: “why don't they give us a gift certificate from Home Depot, instead of bowling trophies?” Well it is on to Miami; it is still time to make it. Pack up the snipe up, and head south. Bill & Sherry Welch

Photos

• View as a crew (Day 1).
• Notice George Szabo dry and warm by the time the rest of us got to the parking lot in time to take pictures.
• Carol Cronin was sailing with Andrew Pimental as a crew, and also had a terrific day. We all did what we could to get warm, then packed around the yacht club porch for a welcome cookout with a one-man-steel-band playing.
• It has been a hard but exhilarating day, everyone is exhausted, and crashing early. There is a 0900 harbor start tomorrow with lighter 10kts easterly predicted tomorrow. See I told you that you missed it. There is still time to make it to Miami this weekend.
• Have a rum-grapefuit, mate?
• Getting cozy in 'Sails'.
• Id Crook, 2000 SCIRA Commodore, and our Class "Mum".
• Bob Foster & Jan Persson checking rigging.
• Hal Gilreath, Antoinette and Chris Klotz.
• Hans Birkholz, Josie Williams, and Andy Pimmental.
• Upwind in the Gulf.
• Pre-start maneuvers.
• George Szabo and Brian Janey take the regatta.

Results

See official results at clwyc.org.

Don Q, Miami, FL

Don Q Daily Reports:

Friday, March 15

"It was a sparkling day on Biscayne Bay" - Jimmie Lowe.

The weather could not have been more perfect today in Miami: light SE breeze 10-14kts, light chop, 75-80 degrees, sunny, warm green-crystal-clear water, and...AN ORGANIZED SNIPE REGATTA. We had a leisurely morning, rigging and registering, and still had time to get two long windward-leeward races in.

The whole day was wonderful except for the weed that kept everyone lifting their boards upwind and down, and constantly checking the rudder. On the last leg of the first race Bill Welch actually managed to fall off the transom while removing a garden "the size of Texas". Sherry never got wet however the acrobatics cost them a few boats and amused everyone near the right side of the course. Andrew Pimental and Carol Cronin were cranked up and going fast; they remarked that they never stayed with their ‘game plan’ but it worked better than expected. The wind shifted more with velocity that direction, with a few holes mixed in, making the tactics challenging. The waves are remarkably smaller here than Clearwater, and all of us to sailed last weekend were wondering where all of the surfing went to.

After racing, everyone showered at the club or in their nearby hotel and then marched up to the Grove ‘en mass’, and took-over Fudruckkers. We filled four long tables and were probably too loud, but everyone had a wonderful time. When leaving the restaurant Hans Birkhotz turned left (the wrong way), noting "why should he change the way things had been going all day?" Afterwards, a few continued partying in the Grove listening to "Arturo" with his new-wave flamenco guitar music and dancer; and enjoying a few after dinner drinks. It was now only 8PM, and everyone was exhausted and called it "a good day". Tomorrow, it is supposed to be more of the same; I don't know if we can take it. - Bill & Sherry Welch

Saturday, March 16

"THE WIND NEVER GOES LEFT IN MIAMI" (Common Knowledge)
The weather forecasters are getting better; it was another spectacular day on Biscayne Bay. The wind was a gentle 8-12 knots out of the east all day until we came in, and then it picked up on schedule to 15kts giving us an enjoyable plane into the club. The problem was that the wind was anywhere from 70 to 120 degrees and 8 to 12 knots constantly changing without predictable oscillations, and caught everyone off guard at least once including the RC.

The scheduled start was for noon, and everyone was out early enjoying the perfect conditions for sailing. Another windward-leeward course was signaled and the obligatory general recall was completed, then we got down to racing under the Z flag. About five minutes into the race, just enough time to get the fleet spread out widely across the course, a monster 30 degree LEFT shift came in with pressure. This caught the series leader George Szabo and Brian Janey way to the right, with Augi Diaz and Gus Wirth also on the wrong side. This shift proved to be a persistent shift, lasting until most of the fleet reached the windward mark. George fought back to 11th and Augi to 13th from a position of probably 28-30 after the shift. That is a skill that all of us can admire, since most of us find ourselves on the wrong side of the shift frequently and can never get back any boats much less over half the fleet. George explained that once he realized that it was a persistent shift he used every excuse that he could find to move towards the pressure. He tacked on any little shift and made ground against the leaders 10 foot at a time. Andrew Pimental cleared the tactics into overly simple terms, as "two distinct games": when you are in the lead and in front with clean air, you always move towards the middle between the rest of the fleet and the mark. When you are buried with no chance of clean air, the trick is to find a clear lane with pressure moving you towards clean air and the favored side; usually the clean air takes precedence over the favored side. Surprisingly the RC did not signal a single course change during this race because the wind was so erratic that any change was more likely to be worse than what was already set up.

By the time the second race was started today, the chop was also confused with multiple power boats zipping around, some actually spectating, and a few PHRF boats practicing. The RC had a timing error, causing a postponement, then a general recall, finally a clean start under the Z flag. Jimmie Lowe was over early at the boat end and went back. Again a monster 30-40 LEFT shift came through immediately after the starting gun. Everyone was fighting so vigorously to get to the left many did not realize that the shift had arrived, tacked very late, and ended up reaching for the mark. When we got to the windward mark the RC abandoned the race. We all thought it was the size and timing of the shift, but actually the RC had forgotten to move the windward mark left 15 degrees before the start and had the wrong course heading on the board; fearing a valid protest, they abandoned the race. It was now getting late, and we got the obligatory general recall out of the way, and Z flag started cleanly. The wind continued to be unpredictable however Hans Birkholz and Josie Williams had their 36 minutes of fame rounding the first two marks in first place. Unfortunately life is not easy at the top, and they became involved in a multiple boat raft-tangle at the second windward mark. After his 720 he was very deep; but Hans, we all remember you were once out in front. Other great stories from this race include Jerry Thompson's "it was because my tiller extension broke" story. And the most amazing visual was John McRae snagging a 50 foot piece of discarded polypropylene covered with barnacles on his rudder going downwind. I swear he was still playing shifts and waves while hanging of the transom towing that thing.

When we got in from this unusually long day the Don-Q drinks met us at the dock, and the party began. The Cuban dinner was served buffet-family style and was wonderful. No one went hungry, but everyone was exhausted. A few hardy souls headed to the Grove night life, mumbling something about Hooters, and they have not been seen since. Tomorrow brings and end to this phenomenal regatta. The weather is supposed to be more of the same gorgeous stuff, that Floridians to often take for granted. One race tomorrow then we pack up the boats and head for Nassau. - Bill & Sherry Welch

Sunday, March 17

Don Q 2002 was a perfect regatta; you really missed it if you were not here.

The weather was magnificent today for the final race of the Don Q. Early in the AM there was only a whisper on the bay, but we were promised 10-15kts by the weather service, and they were right. Again the wind was near easterly, but we had a lot more chop today particularly at the windward mark. I guess no one in Miami watches basketball games on Sunday; they all are out on the bay churning things up with the outboard. The RC had a start off on time at 1100, but we had the obligatory general recall since the entire fleet chose to start on the pin end. The RC move the boat up on the anchor line, making the boat favored, hoisted a Z flag, and the fleet was much more spread out. Just like the last two days, the left shift appeared on Q, and those that took the left early gained. George Szabo and Andrew Pimental arrived next to each other at the windward mark and match raced for several legs until George finally got a few boats between them, winning the race but not giving Andrew enough points to take the regatta. It would have been exciting to watch, if I didn't have my hands full fighting to maintain mid-fleet position.

When we got back to the Coconut Grove Sailing Club, everyone helped each other packing for the long trip home, or in preparation to go to Nassau, and enjoyed the awards presentation. From the Snipe Class, we wish to thank the officers, members, and RC of the CGSC for all of the hard work on this regatta, and congratulate them on a job well done. We will be back in force next year for sure. - Bill & Sherry Welch

Photos

• Charlie rigging up.
• After a hard day of sailing...
• Local crew letting off steam.
• Ah, beers on a Sunfish.
• Trouble....
• Gonzo enjoying a post-race meal.
• Vice Commodore Andrea Stringos presenting trophies to Norwegians Birger Jansen and Cecilia Anna de Faire.
• Andrea Stringos presenting trophies to our Club member Augie Diaz and crew Gus Wirth.
• Andrew Pimental & Carol Cronin win Don Q.
• Andrea presenting trophies to the winners Andrew Pimental and Carol Cronin
• Kneeling, left to right: Jody Lowe (Bahamas), Sheehan Commette, Cecilia Anna de Faire (Norway), Gus Wirth, Brian Janney, Carol Cronin, Watt Duffy, Michael Abadin, Carr Moody, Dantes Bianchi (Brazil), Standing: Jimmie Lowe, Peter Commette, Birger Jansen (Norway), Augie Diaz, George Szabo, Andy Pimental, Jim Richter, Gonzo Diaz, Bibi Juetz (Brazil) and Rick Jarchow

Results

17 Mar, '02, 14:49
"www.stpetescorer.com"

Nassau, Bahamas

Tue, March 19

The snipe fleet arrived in Nassau today and we spent the whole day getting organized. The snipe fleet arrived in Nassau today and we spent the whole day getting organized. What normally takes us one hour at a normal regatta back home (rigging), took us all afternoon here. There must be some aberration to the gravitational field in these islands that slows time down. Just looking out on the water calms you right down, and then it is time to clean up for dinner, and then barely time to get to the party. Only a few very efficient crews were able to overcome these super-natural forces to get their boats completely rigged and actually go sailing. I was impressed; some actually sanded their boards; amazing. The racing actually gets underway tomorrow morning. Only two races a day and one party each night; very civilized.

The last I heard there are 22 registered, which means there are a whole bunch of snipers that are missing out. Where are you? This is one of the greatest assets of belonging to an organization such as SCIRA: you can travel around the world with a great group of people, and participate in terrific events, mix with the locals, and have a phenomenal time. And you can get some sailing in as well. You can not buy this through any travel agency, cruise line, or country club. The snipe class offers you so much, it is astounding that so few of you take advantage of this.

Today was gorgeous; 15kts from the east, 76 degrees, and it is supposed to stay the same through the week. This is great sailing, wish you were here. Regatta reports start tomorrow. - Bill & Sherry Welch

Wed, March 20 - Bacardi Cup

It is hard to describe how beautiful this place is to sail. The water is crystal clear, warm, and the wind is always blowing. It was very impressive this morning with 15-20kts from the east with a moderate chop. The committee boat could not hold it's anchor and we waited for about an hour before we got underway. I have to admit it is hard to concentrate on racing when the water is so beautiful. On starboard tack in the morning the sun was at just the right angle so that you could see your entire boat shadow on the bottom, masthead to daggerboard. WOW!! Eighteen teams are sailing, but two boats had breakdowns in the first race due to the heavy air: Jerry Thompson lost his jib halyard and was able to spin around without hurting his rig and had a new one in place before the afternoon race. The fleet got off to a clean start, first attempt, without any individual recalls. The fleet tactics were predominantly "FG" (follow George) since he punched out early and fast taking all of us to the right corner for a single tack beat (but still a long 1 1/4 mile windward leg). Then downwind the "FG" mode continued as he sailed low and fast, by-the-lee, extending his lead. Spray was flying; this was exciting racing. A few shifts suckered some of us to the left, but it appeared the right corner was the ticket. As is the custom around here, we all sailed in to the club for lunch. They have great sandwiches, and anything is better than try to gag-down a granola bar while tossing around in 20kts.

This give us a moment to dry out and repair anything lost or broken during the first race. It also requires extreme discipline to put the soggy boots back on and go out and do another race in the afternoon. The wind dramatically changed for this afternoon's race (as all of the old salts whispered to us earlier today, "the wind will die when the tide changes") , only 10-12kts, with a few holes but about the same direction. Once or twice, just to see if we were paying attention, a 20 degree left shift, and a 30 degree right shift came through mixing up the fleet. The "FG" method did not work this race since he was 5 of 6 deep most of the race, and we were forced to chase Robert Dunkley who lead at every mark. Great racing.

This evening we all ran home to shower and dress-up, to return to the club for the Bacardi Party with terrific rum drinks and Eddies’ homemade snacks (the conch fritters were to-die-for). So life is tough on the winter circuit, somehow we will manage to get up tomorrow and do it again. - Bill & Sherry Welch

Thurs, March 21 - Bacardi Cup/ Gamblin

This regatta just keeps getting better. While everyone else is freezing with this huge cold front pushing down through the country, we are having a great time sailing in 80 degrees with 15kts from the south. The problem is the direction. For all of you who know Nassau harbor, the wind coming from the south comes over the island, and therefore is highly irregular. It was common to have 30 degree lifts and 30 degree headers only moments apart, and velocity changes of 5-8kts without warning. Those that made out were successfully able to manage the current, sail rapidly through holes, change gears every two minutes, and tack about thirty times each weather leg. The runs were almost as bad with great gains to be had with properly timed jibes. Birger Jansen hit the first shift and never looked back; however he was pursued by George and Augi. The three of them worked away from the rest of the fleet, finishing in that order to wind up the Bacardi series. George Szabo and Bryan Janney win the Bacardi Cup again. - Bill & Sherry Welch

Friday, March 21 - Gamblin Day 2

Just another beautiful day on Montagu Bay. The wind switched around to the west today as predicted, and it was warm and beautiful; break out the sun block. No wet suits required.

The RC set a windward leeward course in the morning in 8-10kts. Today the wind was much more steady and even across the course, however the current was flooding much stronger on the right, so tactics were limited to: get-a-good-start, get-a-good-start, get-a-good-start, get-a-good-start.....then go left. Some of us did better than others. Jerry Thompson had a great start and hit all the minor shifts (anything is minor after yesterday) and got to the windward mark first. George was close behind him but could not pass him until the second windward mark. Augi found himself deep at the first mark and had very little to work with to advance through the fleet. He still managed to pass boats on every leg finishing a remarkable 8 after rounding 15 at the first windward mark.

We sailed in for the well earned lunch break, and watched the gentle breeze turn more northerly and pick up significantly. As we left for the second race there was a squall line to the east with lightning, and a frontal boundary to the northwest that was sure to bring rain and heavy wind. Many crews switched to their heavy weather sails, but we all assumed the worst and still sailed out.

As the sequence began the wind started dying. The current had switched and was now pushing us across the line, and we had our first general recall, and then a Z-flag. The wind was marginal, but we all thought it was going to pickup significantly. The fleet went right in tight formation with several tacking away with minor shifts. The squall line behind us dwindled, and the frontal boundary in front of us dissipated taking all of the wind with it. We drifted towards the windward mark spread out so that each of us had some fresh air, then a giant 40 right shift just before the mark turned the fleet sideways burying Robert Dunkley who was looking great wide to the left. George Szabo and Augi Diaz led the fleet around the windward mark and then we crawled to the jibe mark. Woody Norwood felt right at home and was loving the drifter, but it was painful for the rest of us. The wind started filling in, so that we were able to hike a little by the time we reached the leeward mark. Then we had two short windward legs to the Northeast to test the fleet on the relative importance of current or wind pressure. George and Augi hit the hard right corner and made out the first time up, but on the second and last windward leg, Augi separated from George early in the leg moving to the left. Two-thirds up the wind went left about 15 degrees and that allowed Augi to close the distance; George was sweating. On the cross, George was still ahead. Great racing.

Back to the club for fresh coconut drinks. Then everyone sat around telling stories and lies about the day's racing. The party tonight was at the club with a local fashion show, DJ music and dancing. The food was great, the breeze cool, and those Diaz brothers are dancin' fools. Tomorrow the wind is supposed to be 20kts from the Northeast, for two quick races in the morning. Then we have to pack-em-up and start planning for the next Snipe regatta. Final report tomorrow. - Bill & Sherry Welch

Saturday, March 22 - Gamblin Day 3

The weather forecasters were right on the money; 20kts from the Northeast today. This was flat-out-fun sailing, heavy air with only a moderate chop. The RC set triangle courses which gave us screaming reaches. No wet suits today, the water is warm, the air temp was 80, the sky was deep blue, and the bay crystal clear. It was hard to concentrate since everything was so beautiful.

We had an early start today (10AM) to give us the remainder of the afternoon to pack the boats. Bibi and Birger were over early on the first start and both went back, but look at their finishes. Birger was already back in the top ten by the first mark. Heavy air starts are always a little more hectic, but I did not hear or see any bumping. The first weather leg was tight with the whole fleet arriving very close together. Then came THE REACH. This was spray city; you needed seatbelts except that you constantly had to move around in the boat to keep it balanced. Frequently we actually sailed over some of the smaller waves and caught the one ahead. Surprisingly no-one capsized at the jibe mark but the spectator fleet (2-3 power boats) knew that was where the wipeouts would be, but they still had an exciting view of the race even without the crash and burn. Szabo and Augie Diaz were rapidly separated from the rest of us moving way out in front by the end of the race. Augie held onto the lead and took first.

The second race followed immediately, but this time there was an individual recall. One of the RC was so excited that one of the local boats was over and was not coming back that he repeatedly blew the horn to get his attention. Of course that was signaling a general recall and Id Crook had to abandon the race and start us again. Actually it was so noisy with the high wind and luffing mains that I actually never heard any guns, much less any horns. We were off clean with a Z flag, and again the fleet remained very close. Both Augie and George started heading left, but it was obvious they were sailing their own race. This time George was in front. Augie tacked early and George covered to weather and they sailed into the fleet on a header. George let Augie get into traffic then he simply tacked back into the starboard lift and never looked back. George and Brian finished maybe 100 boat lengths ahead of Augie and Gus; what a performance. George Szabo and Brian Janney win again and take the Bacardi Cup, Gamblin, and the Zimmerman. - Bill & Sherry Welch

Photos

• Sherry and JT unloading from Miami.
• What it's all about...
• Rigging for the start.
• Well deserved Yellow Birds.
• Crew gear.
• Montagu Bay at its best.
• Jimmy, Eddie and coconuts.
• Gonzo is HOT-HOT-HOT.
• Szabo/Janney win Gamblin.
• Six Commodores.

Results