14 boats including 1 Windmill sailed in the open class of the 55th
annual Mount Dora regatta, April 5-6. Lake Dora is the center of the
town and is an absolutely beatiful freshwater lake surrounded by
natural wonders. The City of Mount Dora is an antique laden,
picturesque, old style town.The temperature was a perfect 70-75
degrees and the wind gods smiled on us with 15 knot winds on Saturday
and 5-10 knots on Sunday.
After serious consideration, the race committee halted the sailing
after 1 race on Saturday as a thunderstorm that never arrived loomed
in the distance. The Windmill came in 2nd in this race as a knot had
materialized in the main sheet which would not allow the sail to be
let out after rounding the weather mark. After parking the boat to
untie the knot and finishing the race the Windmill finished 1 second
behind a SR21 max on corrected time.
3 races were sailed on Sunday and the Windmill won them all resulting
in a 1st place overall finish.
It is hoped that other Windmills will participate next year in this
beautiful setting. Nature abounds the area and there are many nearby
campgrounds which feature lakefront beauty, and are shaded by mature
oak canopys.