West Florida Sunfish Circuit

West Florida Sunfish Circuit #3 results

On Sunday December 10, 2000 the West Florida Sunfish Circuit 2000-01 held its third regatta of the series. In terms of participation, this was among the most successful over the past several years. Nineteen eager sailors showed up (6 of which are new sailors to the circuit), boats in tow, only to see flat waters and a collapsed flag. "Oh boy! will we see wind today." We slowly got rigged, watching the flag for movement. "There it goes, a little flutter." We all watched with hopefulness but the puff came and went. The flag fluttered and pooped out over and over. So, with the blast of 2 horns we began an hour-long postponement.

Finally, by 1pm we headed out to the start line. Winds remained very light all day (2-6mph). The first race was a windward-leward twice around (we lost the anchor on the pin end, leaving us with only 2 useable marks---what luck we are having today!). In A fleet, Mindy Strauley won the first mark with Stu Smith right on her tail followed by John Spray and James Liebl. While Stu took the right side to the leeward mark and the rest of the fleet went left, Stu shot out in first by a good distance and kept that lead to win the race. In B fleet, Barbara Meyer led the first race, followed by David Morrow.

By the second race we picked up another anchor and changed the course to a modified olympic. Partway into the starting sequence you could hear echos on the line shouting, "we are running course 1 this time." This was the way we communicated a course change for this day. And we were off. Stu, off the line with a headstart was called back to restart (spoiling his shot at winning the day). This time Paul Strauley led around the first mark followed by Mindy. Paul and Mindy increased their lead on the fleet ending up first and second, respectively. John Spray, coming from behind, finished third. In B fleet, David Morrow led the second race---and hence the day for B fleeters. Barbara Meyer's third place in the second race resulted in a second overall for the day. Mike Mierswa Jr., who is in the sunfish for virtually the first time (he generally races optis) demonstrated excellent boat handling which resulted in a second place for the second race, and a third for the day. Ellen Henderson and JoAnne Gitchel, although they did not win a race (both are basically newcomers to the sunfish), were most inspiring with their enthusiasm to continue with sunfish racing and to help build the fleet. Thank you both!

Many thanks to the race committee, which exhibited patience and flexibility throughout the day, as well as running 2 great races and providing on the water updates on the TB Bucs vs Miami Dolphins. Results of the Clearwater West Florida Sunfish Circuit Race

A Fleet:          R1 R2 Total

1. John Spray      2  3 5
2. Mindy Strauley  4  2 6 
3. Paul Strauley   7  1 8 
4. Pat Hamilton    5  4 9 
5. James Liebl     3  7 10 
6. Stu Smith       1 10 11 
7. Joel Heyne      8  5 13 
8. Fuller Moore   10  6 16 
9. Dave Kaighen    6 14 20
10.Erik Erickson  12  8 20 
11.Mark Rother    11  9 20 
11.Sylvia Mabe     9 11 20 
13.Cindy Kaighen  13 12 25 
14.Jay Montero    14 13 27

B Fleet:          R1 R2 Total

1. David Morrow    2  1 3
2. Barbara Meyer   1  3 4 
3. Michael Mierswa 3  2 5 
4. Ellen Henderson 4  4 8 
5. JoAnne Gitchel  5  5 10

Next Circuit race on the schedule will be held on Sunday January 14, 2001 at the Boca Ciega Yacht Club.

Sunfish Racing Schedule Highlights
West Florida Sunfish Circuit schedule (skipper's meetings at noon. 1pm start):
Boca Ciega Yacht Club - Sunday January 14, 2001
Punta Gorda - Saturday February 3, 2001
Sarasota Sailing Squadron (previously scheduled for 4/29, will be re-scheduled due to conflicts with the Bikini Cup in Clearwater)

Other Up-Coming Events:
Midwinters (Clearwater Yacht Club) March 1-4, 2001
International Masters (Punta Gorda) March 9-11, 2001
Mount Dora Annual Regatta (Mt. Dora) April 21-22, 2001
Bikini Cup Bay Race---females only (Clearwater Sailing Center) April 29, 2001
Sarasota Sailfest (Sarasota Sailing Squadron) May 5-6, 2001
Florida Regionals (Boca Ciega Yacht Club) May 19-20, 2001

If you need more information about the West Florida Sunfish Circuit or upcoming regattas, contact Paul or Mindy at 727-734-4108 or email mskatz@juno.com.