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 beautiful 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 2nd, 1 second behind a SR21 max on corrected time. 3 races were sailed on Sunday, each won by the Windmill, resulting in a first place overall finish.
Multi-class racing is fun, and a great way to showcase our boat. It should be noted that the skipper of the Windmill is a good but not great sailor; a testament to the Windmill's fine sailing characteristics. Similar results could be obtained by many other Windmill sailors.
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 canopies. |
