Carlisle Classic at Clearwater Community Sailing Center November 17 - 18
Story
Good Day to All,
The Clearwater Florida Carlisle Classic was an exciting regatta, which we throughly enjoyed. Clearwater hosted a well organized event in which fun, safety and racing was paramount. Home of Clark Mills our Windmill designer. Kids and adults of all ages, abilities and experience levels was present at the club and on the water. With a special race for physically challenged won by a spectacular young man. The dinner was a catered event and included, Ceaser salad, mac and cheese with lobster meat, Sante Fe chicken in a corn and black bean sauce, Mahi Mahi in a mango sauce, pull pork in a sweet BBQ and fresh corn on the cob, squash, onions, peppers on roasted vegy skewers.
Saturday dawned a delightful sunny 70 degree day, with light winds in the morning 3 to 7kts. However, the wind continued to build 10 to 20kts before the day was over, and I was singing in full voice by the last race of the day. My hands felt like I had been holding onto a "Tiger by the Tail" by the end of the 6th race. Sunday picked up where Saturday left off with winds that started 13 to 20kts and went up and down for the last 4 races.
Lisa Fath and her son Luke had great boat speed coming in 4th in the 1st race. I could hear the water coming off her hull and she was competitive with Luke, who was amazed at the feel of the water thru the hull under his feet. However, the increasing wind caused something to break on the boat and they retired during the 2nd race. Sunday Lisa helped on the RC boat and took some great pictures.
Our son Matthew and Allie Coleman from Penneslyvania came down to experience Windmill racing and Florida. Matt and Allie worked hard trying to keep the boat flat upwind and because they only weighted 230 pounds together, they flew going downwind on the reaching legs. They completed the 2nd race and the increasing wind on the 3rd race the "Water was calling" and Matt went for a quick swim. They smartly retired to enjoy the beach across the street and all they YC amenities. Were very proud of them for trying and learning so much so fast.
We happily met Tapp Rinne, engaging wife Mrs. R. and his daughter Sara who is in middle school. Tapp and Sara were right in the middle of the mix. They are a great team and with a little more time together and boats that can hold up to heavy air sailing they will be challenging the front pack. What a delightful family who I hope will join the Windmill group and teach us some of his Finland finess.
Dede and Beau Plessner were all smiles and challenging on Saturday. I kept my eyes on them and always a loose cover. They graciously let Tapp and Sara sail their boat on Sunday, while they manned a whaler and acted as the crash / mark boat.
Now the meat and potatoes of the weekend: Ethan and Trudy Bixby on Saturday and Karen on Sunday in his brand new hull showed us how to sail flat in the heavy air. Colin Browning and Nicky and Ralph and I were always jocking for 2nd place. We each had a remarkable 1st windward rounding arriving sometimes right in front of Ethan. Then Ethan would easily pop up on a plane and show us the back of his stern the rest of the race. At one point all 3 of us rounded the reaching mark and went flying down the course, trying not to surf / plane up on eachother. It was exciting and exhilarating regatta. We learned a lot and had a Spectacular time. Racing in Florida is fantastic. I highly recommend taking a small break from life in the North and returning to the Fountain of Youth to rejuvenate your soul. Thank you to all who put in lots of hours and made this remarkable weekend come together. Hopefully, we will see you in March for another round of racing and learning.
Safe Journeys to All,
Sandy and Ralph Sponar
Result
PosBoatNameTotalRace 1Race 2Race 3Race 4Race 5Race 6Race 7Race 8Race 9Race 10Race 11
15700Green BoatEthan Bixby/Trudy/Karen9(9)(1)(10)1(11)1(12)1(13)1(14)1(15)1(16)1(17)1(18)1 (19)
24481My MojoColin Browning/Nicky21(21)3(24)(4)(28)2(30)2(32)2(34)3(37)2(39)2(41)3(44)2 (46)
33524Long Tail IIIRalph Sponar/Sandy23(23)2(25)2(27)(3)(30)3(33)3(36)2(38)3(41)3(44)2(46)3 (49)
44922WimpyDede Plessner/Beau46(46)7(53)3(56)4(60)4(64)4(68)4(72)4(76)(DNF)(84)DNF(92)DNF (100)
5107Yellow BoatTapp Rinne/Sarah64(64)6(70)5(75)5(80)(DNF)(88)DNF(96)DNF(104)DNF(112)DNF(120)DNF(128)DNF (136)
65060Blue BoatMatt Sponar/Allie67(67)5(72)6(78)(DNF)(86)DNF(94)DNF(102)DNF(110)DNF(118)DNF(126)DNF(134)DNF (142)
72049BongfireLISA FATH68(68)4(72)(DNF)(80)DNF(88)DNF(96)DNF(104)DNF(112)DNF(120)DNF(128)DNF(136)DNF (144)
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