9/1/03

The Weather Gods were with us for the 10th Annual Union Regatta. A beautiful sunny day "With Wind". About 15 kts. The weather history at CCSA shows 10 to 20.8 during the race. The gusts with an East/South East Direction off land made for some work. Kirk Smith was the first Flip victim right after the start in bay. From what I heard Steve Greer went over on the back side of Three Rooker got some help from a Skidoo but continued on to finish the course. Larry Willis went over but got on their feet and finished in sixth.

All the Boats were fast. The course for the Low Portsmouth boats was unique this year with some new strategy points. Round Anclote either direction, Round the Spider Buoy to port at the Clearwater pass and come home. (38 miles). Since the first boat made it in 2.5 hours that is an average speed of 15 miles per hour. They have to be going a lot faster than that to make up for the tacks and slow points.

The High Portsmouth Fleet course was around Three Rooker either direction, to the Spider Buoy at Clearwater and back. (25 miles). Hans was the only one to take the island to starboard and said it really paid off. The average speed for Hans Geissler was 12 miles per hour. That is fast. He would have been a bit faster if he didn't lose his main halyard when coming in the pass to finish.

It was a great race, the first three finishers were on the sports page of the St. Petersburg Times this morning.

Terry & Judy