1997 Nokia Sugar Bowl Regatta

New Orleans Yacht Club
New Orleans, LA
December 20 & 21, 1997

Four of the seven scheduled races were sailed in this year's Nokia Sugar Bowl Regatta.  5 -12 kts out of the east with some five minute oscillations of ten to fifteen degrees eased the task of the RC to get as many races off Saturday as possible.  For the competitors, however, chasing Hank Saurage around the courses became a task in its own.

Joanne Weberlein, from Austin YC, took a nice start towards the left side of the first weather leg and found a strong lefty that would take her accross the fleet.  She led at every mark while junior, Marcus Eagan pressed her on the upwinds.  Closing within a couple of feet by the weather mark was nowhere near enough as Joanne opened up on every leeward.  Over early in race one, Hank recovered to save a 5th.  Maybe the new boat gave Hank the psychological edge or maybe it was the sense of urgency to stay up top knowing that the chances of sailing Sunday were bleak.  Whatever it was, it was fast!  He went on to win the next three races and the series in the tenth and final regatta on the '97 Gulf Coast Sunfish Racing Circuit, moving him ahead of Ash Beatty in the final results, finishing fourth overall on the year.  Bishop Stieffel maintained his lead over Clinton Edwards in the top two spots and Todd Edwards finished third.

Awards for the 1997 Circuit will be presented at the first event on the '98 Circuit right back at NOYC during the Mardi Gras Regatta.

Sugar Bowl Results

Pos Skipper		R1  R2  R3  R4   Total
 1 Hank Saurage		 5   1   1   1    8.00
 2 Joanne Weberlein	 1   8   6   3   18.00
 3 Marcus Eagan		 2  11   3   2   18.00
 4 Todd Edwards		 8   3   8   7   26.00
 5 Bishop Stieffel	 6   7   5   8   26.00
 6 Kevin Northrop	 3   9   2  13   27.00
 7 Tommy Meric		 9  12   4   4   29.00
 8 Clinton Edwards	 4  10  10   5   29.00
 9 David Blouin		 7   2  15  10   34.00
10 Chris Friend		16   4  18   6   44.00
11 Kippy Chamberlain	10   5  16  14   45.00
12 Peter Wuescher	13  14   9   9   45.00
13 Peter Sladovich	14   6  13  15   48.00
14 Sam Waller		15  17   7  12   51.00
15 Gilly Chamberlain	11  18  12  11   52.00
16 Ash Beatty		18  13  11  16   58.00
17 Tim Maloney		12  15  14  20   61.00
18 Nick McKenna		17  16  17  17   67.00
19 Mike Carron		19  21  19  18   77.00
20 Pam Brierre		21  20  20  19   80.00
21 Pat Manning		20  19  21  21   81.00