2002 Gulf Coast Sunfish Regional Championship Fairhope Yacht Club Fairhope, AL April 20-21, 2002

Paul Kieth (78790) gets off to a good start right behind Bishop Stieffel (43681), Tom Whitehurst (78268) and Hank Saurage (645)

Ryan Hamilton, a fourteen year old Junior from Mandeville, LA, led most of race one of the 2002 Gulf Coast Regionals and World Championship qualifier.  The 120 lb junior knew that the day would be an uphill battle for him when the wind continued to increase.   Tom Whitehurst, representing Fleet 295 out of Pensacola, displayed his usual blazing upwind speed and smarts taking the first two races.   When he hit the second mark in race three, however, he allowed three sailors to pass while he sailed his penalty turn.  Hank Saurage, Todd Edwards and Bishop Stieffel were quite aware that Whithurst was building a substantial lead and that they would have to hold him back if they were to close the point gap.  Tom would go on to finish fourth, but when he won the fourth and last race Saturday, the championship was beginning to look like it would be his.

The fleet arrived Sunday morning to a surprising 8-12 knots out of the south and the breeze would only pick up as the day developed.  Kippy Chamberlain and Kevin Northrup took advantage of the early race's 12-15 knots, finishing first and third to move up in the standings, but the last two races brought in 15-18 knots and these conditions would certainly favor the heavier, stronger sailors.  Tom Whitehurst managed a good lead early in race six and his lead increased to impressive when Saurage and Stieffel tangled, battling for the second overall spot.

The race for second almost ended as soon as the last race started.  Bishop checked the wind direction with a minute to go before the start and realized that a left shift was moving in.  Quickly, he sailed to the left end of the line to setup for a port tack start, but Anne Edwards of Baton Rouge, picked up on it and at the last second, foiled his plan.  Botching his start, he had to tack underneath none other than Saurage for a minute or so before he could clear his breeze.  Sailing hard and fast, he managed to round the first mark second, but Saurage had mounted such a lead that Bishop couldn't catch him.  Constistent finishes between second and fifth through the seven races, Bishop finished third.

Winning the Regionals qualifies Tom Whitehurst the 2003 World Championships.   Congratulations Tom!