Whitehurst defends GYA Title and Sweeps 2004 Circuit

2004 Galloway – GYA Sunfish Championship  - Open & Junior Circuit events

Gulfport Yacht Club, MS

Aug 14^th & 15^th

Saturday – Aug 14^th

    After being spared from both Hurricanes Bonnie and Charley by a cold front,  Gulf Coast Sunfish Sailors arrived at this years GYA ( Gulf Yachting Assoc. ) championship to cool 60 degree temperatures in the early morning and would only reach the mid 80 for the daily highs.   This would make conditions very different for this area as winds were from the north at 10 to 15 but would shift 30 degree to either side making 60 degree oscillations.  Getting caught in the middle between one of these or getting caught on the wrong side of the boat in an autotack would be very costly in this fleet as positions changed very quickly.  The race committee ran W2 every race which makes interesting downwind finished in this close competitive field of sailors.

It was very apparent before the event that the person to beat was Tom Whitehurst being the defending champion as well as having won the first three circuit events already.  If he won this one he could sweep the Circuit.  Nobody stepped up as Whitehurst posted only 5 points for the first day of racing with finishes of 1,2,1,1.  Having been over early in the first race, Hank Saurage followed closely in second with 10 points  ( 5,1,2,2 ).  This was turning out to be a race for third as Bishop Stieffel, Peter Wuescher & Andrew Eagan had 20 & 21 points.  

Sunday – Aug 15^th

    Winds were more NE but the same conditions prevailed.  Hank would close the gap by winning the first race as Tom finished second.  Andrew Eagan and Peter Wuescher would place 4^th and 5^th behind Clinton Edwards and would be tied for 3^rd going into the last race.  Bishop would fall out of contentions but that’s another story. 

Hank would need a miracle to win the last race and keep Tom 6^th or worse but not impossible for him and even more so as the last race turned out to be the most interesting.  Just prior to the start the wind varied way left, making it almost impossible to start on starboard.  Leslie Dane and Bishop Stieffel started on starboard and kept the port starters honest.  From there it was a drag race on port to the weather mark.  Hank would round first followed closely by Leslie and Tom. 

Quote from Tom: “I’ve been faster downwind all weekend so I let Leslie sail down low and get below us ( Hank and Tom ).  My strategy was to let Leslie get out in front because Hank had to win the race to have any hopes plus I had to falter below 5th.  Form there, I caught up to Hank and got an inside overlap and kept him running up giving Leslie a bigger clear lane below.  Thinks worked out well as Leslie rounded the leeward mark in front, however, even thought I caught Hank. He made a great move and pulled a quick jibe and got inside of me at the leeward mark to round second and I followed in third followed closely by Clinton.” 

Conditions would change drastically up the next windward leg as Leslie, Hank, Tom and Clinton all went right which was the closest tack to the mark.  Most of the fleet behind however took as short hitch to the left and the wind would swing left with more velocity which the right side never got.   As the new leaders approached the mark the wind slacked up under 5 and shifted back to the right.   Paul Keith would round first, Hank having held off on the right waiting for the wind to come back, rounded second followed by Tom.  The problem was there wasn’t much  wind as they rouned in a hole.   As the remainder of the fleet rounded the weather mark, the wind filled in from behind and half way down the leg most of the fleet was in an overlapped pack.   Paul Keith was slightly in front and would hold off to the finish followed closely by Leslie who went low.   Hank would sail high and hold off the fleet for third and Tom wet low with Leslie to finish fourth followed closely by the entire fleet.  

For the first time in Circuit History, Tom Whitehurst after placing second overall to Hank Saurage 01, Bishop Stieffel 02, and Donnie Brennan 03 for the last three years running sweets the first 4 circuit events and wins the 2004 Circuit for the first time.  This would also make a different overall circuit winner for the last 4 years running.  To top think off, Lauren Whitehurst would win the Juniors to make another first with a father daughter win.  Hank Saurage was second overall and Andrew Eagan won the race for third overall.  Paul Keith and Chris Rogers were second & third junior.  Leslie Dane was the top female sailor & Tom Whitehurst was top master.   Melissa Warren & Justin O’Rourke were new sailors participated at this even .  We hope to see them out again. 

Best of luck to the 9 sailors from the Gulf Coast that will be attending this years worlds in Hyannis in September are:  Donnie Brennan, Andrew Eagan,  Anne Edwards ( F ), Todd Edwards, Clinton Edwards, Leslie Dane ( F ), Ryan Hamilton ( J ), Hank Saurage & Tom Whitehurst.  

Photos provided of David McCary: http://photos.msn.com/Slideshow/Viewer.htm?locale=en-us&config=%2fSlideshow%2fConfig.aspx%3flocale%3den-us%26folder%3dnBuRgwTGIGgOPXBotYNhUueFh1OsuJ0xnE8353lqqcQ%24&data=%2fSlideshow%2fData.aspx%3ffolder%3dnBuRgwTGIGgOPXBotYNhUueFh1OsuJ0xnE8353lqqcQ%24%26index%3d0