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Midwinters | Don Q | Nassau Series
70th Midwinters Championships, Clearwater, FL
21 boats from the U.S., Norway and Sweden sailed the seven race series of the 70th Snipe Midwinters Championships. The Clearwater had some excellent yet challenging sailing conditions that allowed for four teams to win at least one of the seven races.
CYC certainly holds up the Serious Fun portion of Snipe sailing including the Bowchasers’ sponsored Grapefruit Grog Party and Pizza Party on Monday night. The Tiki Bar is a favorite gathering area for some reason...
With the top three boats finishing within 1.75 points, the regatta wasn't settled until the last race after the wind finally shifted and built from nothing during the morning. Augie Diaz & Kathleen Tocke just squeezed in front of Andrew Pimental & Julia Langford to win the regatta.
As usual, CYC provided a top-notch R/C that continuously adjusted the starting lines and mark locations to provide the best racing possible. During the trophy presentation, Jerry Thompson and Birger Janson both confessed that they have been attending this regatta for more that 35 years straight!
View pictures, results, or the regatta website
Don Q Rum Keg Regatta, Miami FL
Don Q Final Results
Daily Reports: - Don Bedford
Thurs, April 3: Practice day. While most of the boats from the Midwinters arrived the day before, it was a day to put together boats, try out new rigs, and get out and tune-up. About 10 teams made it our during the day to find about 12-15 knots of breeze that seemed to be slowly dying after noon. We unpacked our new boat and took it for spin. When tuning with Jim Grubbs from Long Beach, we were matched for speed but off a bit on height. We tightened our shrouds and that helped our pointing.
Most of the best practice was had up on the balcony outside the bar where one had a great view of the competition as well as cold refreshments. A great place to spot old friends and make new ones.
Fri, April 4: After Old Man conducted the Skipper's Meeting, the 50 boat fleet headed out to some beautiful conditions on Biscayne Bay. The breeze had built to 15+ knots from the SE and the R/C raised the "O" flag for Olympic courses.
The beats were long and the reaches were broad enough to launch the pole and still do some blast plaining. While we still struggled a bit on pointing, the reaches were great and where we caught boats all day. At day's end, Ernesto Rodriguez/Meagan Place and Augie Diaz/Kathleen Tocke had both won a race with Peter/Connie Commette taking two seconds.
That night the crew headed out to an Argentine bar-b-que restaurant where it was all you can eat and a bottle of wine each. Luckily, all made it out alive.
Sat, April 5: Day two of racing provided brisk wins again for the fleet. More casualties from Z-Flag penalties as well as OCS mixed the fleet up. Two more Olympic courses and 18 knots provided classic Miami racing that we all had traveled to sail in. Peter/Connie pick-up up their first win while Ernesto/Meagan took the gun for the 2nd race. Many teams DNF'd from the stiff breazes but for those that stuck it out, it was some great off-the-wind plaining.
Of course, coming into the dock and being handed a fine Don Q slushy rum drink doesn't hurt; okay it hurts a little after your third one.
Sun, April 6: A single race on the third day of sailing brought some lighter conditions. Many teams could be seen changing thier shroud tension during the postponement from the R/C. As the race got off with another Z-Flag, the wind began to build and by race end was up to 12-15 knots. Augie/Kathleen prevailed in the race but Peter/Connie Commette finished close behind to take the series with only 3/4 point separating the top three boats!
View Don Q Final Results
Bacardi/Dudley Gamblin, Nassau Bahamas
Daily Reports:
Tuesday April 8:Snipes arrived in Nassau in perfect weather. A good time to soak in the views (and drinks). After a few boats were rigged, 3-4 boats did some afternoon practicing with the wind at a nice 8-10 knots out of the North. Most decide to tinker with boats and sit out and soak up the atmosphere...
Wednesday April 9:With the wind shifted a little to the right, the fleet got in two great races with the much enjoyed lunch break around the pool. Unfortunately, after winning the 1st race, I jammed his finger in the pool and well, Gus and I didn't see another first in the regatta. Enrico Solerio/Sergio Simonetti won the second race before we all headed in and cleaned-up for the Bacardi Party.
Thursday April 10:The tide was a bit more of a factor when the wind again shifted to the right a bit more for the races. Brian Bissell and Dave Hughes pulled off the win for the first race to tie Solerio/Simonetti for first place and win the tie-breaker. After some nice pool time, the fleet was out again for the first race of the Dudley Gamblin. Peter Commette and David Harrison sailed a great race to take their first win in Nassau. Again, all put on their best attire for the Commodore's Party just a few hundred yards from the Club. All enjoyed the wonderful hospitality from the RNSC and most were on their best behavior.
Friday April 11:A bit more wind blew in from the East for a nice 12-15 knots. Commette/Harrison shared a win with Bissell/Hughes for the day. It was becoming obvious that these were the two boats to beat and they were going to have a close regatta battling with each other.
Saturday April 12:With another 12-15 knots blowing right down the channel, the fleet had perfect conditions for the two windward-leeward courses. Bissell and Commette battle each other each race Brian and Dave coming out on top each race but still falling 1 3/4 points short of Peter and David as they never finished a race lower than second place! The award ceremony was topped with Peter said the Zimmerman was the only North American trophy he'd not won in the Snipe Class and also presented a beautiful painting the the RNSC fleet from Fleet 7 in Miami, FL.
Let me add that if you've never sailed the Southern Circuit and made the trip south to Nassau then you're missing some of the best Serious Sailing and Serious Fun in the Snipe Class. The RNSC are wonderful hosts and the sailing is just perfectly suited for Snipe. See you there!
--Don bedford
View the Bacardi Cup final results
View the Dudley Gambin final results
View the Overall Nassau results
OVERALL CIRCUIT - ZIMMERMAN
Peter Commette/ Connie Commette/ David Harrison
Overall Nassau
Peter Commette/ David Harrison
Top Bahamian - Kelly trophy
Jimmie Lowe/Cameron Symonette
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