Snipe Tea Party – District 4 Championship

Jacksonville, April 21-22, 2012.

Florida Yacht Club in Jacksonville hosted the 2012 Snipe Tea Party and District 4 Championships.  After 7 races in everything from a light drifter, to waves and sea breeze, to flat water and oscillating breeze, Chris Klotz and Bobby Guilder came out on top.  Chris and Bobby (local FYC junior sailor) never finished out of the top 3 and that consistency took them to the top of the fleet.  In the first race, Hal and Emily Gilreath ghosted to a win in a light breeze passing David Muhlhaussen and Barb Evans up the last beat.  A 10-15 knot sea breeze kicked in for the afternoon and David and Barb ended up tied after 4 races with Chris and Bobby.  The compact races placed an emphasis on starts and crew work in the building breeze and waves.  Saturday night the fleet retired to an Italian buffet as a front moved through.

Sunday morning the fleet went out in a light Westerly.  Tarasa Davis and Kim Calnan edged Hal to take the first race.  Klotz put two point on Muhlhaussen to establish himself in the overall lead.  Don Hackbarth with local junior sailor Johnny Fewell won sixth race as the regatta leaders battled it out.  The races were very tight as the 10-12 knot oscillating breeze provided opportunities to gain and lose places.  Chris and Bobby did what they needed to do in the last race to maintain a two point lead over Tarasa and Kim. 

Overall, another Serious Sailing, Serious Fun event. 

Hal Gilreath