Labor Day – 2002 Regatta (Aug 31 – Sept 1):
Friday started out rainy and the forecast for the weekend was hot, humid, winds 5-10mph and 60% chance for rain to continue. This did not discourage the Sunfish group from attending the annual Labor Day regatta at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Typically, this regatta marks the start of the Florida Sunfish season. East meets west, those up north for the summer fly south and accordingly, let the racing season begin! Twenty-five Sunfish sailors attended the event.
After the skipper’s meeting on Saturday we started out to the racecourse for an early afternoon start. With a moderate breeze we were all anxious to hit the water and cool off from the very hot on shore temperature.
The first race turned out to be the only race we completed for the regatta. It was a “marathon” (windward-leward, twice around) race taking approximately two hours to complete. Most of the race was a strategic challenge. Those who could sail well in shifty conditions prevailed.
At the first mark rounding, out in front was Conner Blouin (yes another young Blouin enjoying some Sunfish fun). Conner was able to hang on to and extend his lead each leg of the race. Rounding out the top five include, Mindy Strauley, Paul Strauley, Diggs Vann (out of the Sunfish for a while, Diggs had trouble keeping his boat upright), and Charlotte Sims (a new junior Sunfish sailor from Venice).
With the wind getting very light after the race and the threat of lightening in the area, the sailors were sent to shore for the day.
Saturday night the Sunfish conversation focused on Conner Blouin. The conversation (as you can image) included who should take him out at the start the next day, wait until it blows 15 knots tomorrow – he will be toast (the guys used to say that to me), and finally the bet on which Blouin can beat which--------most bet on Conner vs his dad Joe. Maybe that is why Joe sat this regatta out.
In hindsight, I think that Joe was trying to send me a warning prior to the regatta’s skipper’s meeting. We were having a friendly conversation and Joe had said to me that if Conner got in trouble, please keep an eye out for him. I wonder if he meant watch out for him, he will kick your _ _ _.
Sunday turned-out to be a very hot day with very little wind. Hence, with the weather working against us the regatta came to an early end.
Final Race Results are:
DNS/DNF = Rita Steele, Lois Blodgett, Chalres Medica