2005 TBCSI Hangover Regatta 

There is no better way to start of the New Year than to have a great Regatta in the sun and warmth of the Gulf Coast. The weather and facilities at the Dunedin Causeway, Dunedin Florida USA, were a great setup for the Tampa Bay Catamaran Sailors Inc. (TBCSI) annual Hangover distance regatta.

 The most important is thanks to L.J. Nicholson and Dave Parker for spending the day on the beach as Race Committee.  They managed a large group with just 2 people.  Also, thanks to Jill Nickerson for volunteering herself and her chase boat to keep everyone safe.

 Thirty-nine (39) boats raced around the islands. There were all kinds of cats participating. The fleets were broken up into four groups. The N I-20’s had their own Class. The F-18’s had their own Class and both classes were started together and had the same course. The  14 boats in the Low Portsmouth were the next group off following the same course. Then the High Portsmouth Boats was started.

 The first three groups headed out Hurricane Pass in Dunedin and took Anclote Island, up near Tarpon Springs, to Port and back for about 25 miles straight line as the crow flies. The High Portsmouth went north and went around the tip of Three Rooker Bar twice for a distance of about 15 miles as that silly bird goes, not the boats. That was a tough one because after the Hurricanes this summer Three Rooker Bar is no longer a bar. As I discovered there are only two pieces left a north point and a south point and lots of new sand bars with most of the three mile middle gone.

 The winds were light at mostly 7 with a few puffs to 10 and some holes.  But that didn’t stop John Fondrk and Dennis Bedgood from going over on their Nacra 6.0 going up to Anclote. I think they just wanted to cool off in the 56 degree water. The sun was out most of the day and the high in Dunedin was 80 degrees. Not bad for New Years Day.

 The racing was very competitive in all the classes. We had some hot sailors Just take a look at the Final Results and the Photos on our TBCSI web sit at http://www.tampabaycatsailors.com/ . John Casey and Jacque Novak took first in the I 20’s, Alain Dubuc with Eve-Marie L’Abbe was second in that class on their Canada 2 Olympic Tornado with Robbie Daniel and Mark Herenden taking third.

 The HF18 class had our US Sailing Area D winners Jennifer Lindsay and Kelly Gray coming in first again. David Ingram and Kathy Ingram came in second. They made the long road trip to put their boat on the beach Friday night just before a beautiful sun set. Sue Korz and Greg Thomas came in third. They sailed up from Clearwater Sailing Center on Friday with two other HF18’s to participate in the race.

 The Low Portsmouth boats were no slouches with Bob Barton coming in first on his SC17 and Mike Crawford on the Taipan 4.9 came in second. That is a long course for single handed riders. Seth Stern and Drew Braunstein made third on a Taipan.

 The High Portsmouth thought they were in the Steeplechase with all the new sand bars and the changes the hurricanes did to the Three Rooker Bar. Tom Hirst on his SC15 took first and Kirke Smith on a TRAC 16 had a second and also took Line Honors. Terry Fondrk on the Dart 18 took third. The Hobie 14’s didn’t place but had a very close race between them. Dick Anderson then Bill Brooks then Vel Dekreek followed by Jim Arden were their placements. One more boat and they would have had a class.

 After the Trophies of Big Bottles of Champaign for First and Wine Bottles for Second and Third were presented on the beach many of the racers, family and friends met at Eddies Sports Bar for a fun evening of great food and better conversation.

What a Regatta and all for a $10 entry fee.  How can you beat that? TBCSI is the best. Come join us for all our events. Check out the calendar on our website.

If this is any indication for catamaran racing this year it is definitely going to be a super season.

Terry D18