Considering Hank Saurage's record of multiple top ten finishes in World, National, and
Midwinter Championships, it's hard to believe this regatta would be his first win on the
Gulf Coast Sunfish Racing Circuit that averages 15-25 boats.
Saturday's offshore, 15-20kt breeze paved the way for the bigger sailors to open up a lead
on the rest of the fleet in preparation for the lighter stuff expected on Sunday. In race
four(Sunday's first), Todd Edwards took his six point lead over the line early, then into
a huge hole on the left. A late call had Hank and Brian Harrison returning also, but Hank
managed to get back into the race. Going into the last race, two points seperated the top
three boats (Todd & Bishop tied with Hank close behind) and those three would round
the first two marks 1,2,3. Sharing the lead with Bishop, Todd decided to take Bishop to
the left side of course to find a better breeze. Nothing was found except a pack moving in
front of them. A few shifts later, Hank was gone with a bullet and his first circuit win.
The Circuit is still pretty tight with the top four boats all within three points, 1 throw
out. The fourth stop on the GCSRC is the Spring Regatta in Mobile, AL.
POS SKIPPER R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 Total 1 Saurage, Hank 2 2 6 4 1 15 2 Stieffel, Bishop 4 3 4 1 6 18 3 Edwards, Todd 3 1 2 6 9 21 4 Beatty, Ash 1 4 7 10 4 26 5 Edwards, Clinton 9 7 5 3 2 26 6 Barnes, Chuck 6 5 3 9 3 26 7 Ollinger, Ellis 5 9 8 2 5 29 8 Harrison, Brian 8 6 1 5 10 30 9 Sladovich, Peter 7 10 9 7 8 41 10 Potts, Johnny 11 8 10 8 7 44 11 Kolenich, Daniel 15 15 15 11 11 67 12 Northrup, Kevin 10 15 15 15 15 70 13 Warren, Melissa 15 15 15 15 15 75 13 Edwards, Ann 15 15 15 15 15 75