Florida State Sunfish Championships
October 27-28, 2001
Davis Island Yacht Club
Tampa, Florida

With the first cold front zipping through Florida, attendance at the Sunfish States was low, but choice, with hard-core sailors dedicated to competing even if it meant dusting off the foulies and doffing layers of fleece and neoprene.

A total of 15 sailors registered (about half as many as expected) including 7 Masters, 2 female sailors, 4 juniors, and 2 "non-masters, non-female" adults.

Four races (Olympic-style and windward-leeward courses) were held Saturday afternoon in 15-22 northerly knots, followed by a cookout at the club (brauts and steaks, a meat-lover's festival!). On Sunday, after a generally sluggish departure from the club, 3 races were held in bracing 20-25 knots of breeze. At least the chop was pretty minimal. Talk about getting some races for your money!

Pos

Name

R1

R2

R3

R4

R5

R6

R7

Total

Drop

Score

 

1

Jeff Linton, Tampa, FL

1

1

1

1

2

1

2

9

2

7

2

James Liebl, Titusville, FL

3

3

2

2

1

3

1

15

3

12

3

Rod Koch, St. Petersburg, FL

2

2

3

4

3

2

17

33

17

16

4

Rick Pantall, Punta Gorda, FL

4

4

4

3

4

6

17

42

17

25

5

Gail Heusler, Tampa, FL

8

5

7

6

6

4

4

40

8

32

Top Opposite Gender award

6

Dave Kaighin, Sarasota, FL

6

12

5

11

5

5

3

47

12

35

Top Master award (yes, Rick and Rod are both over 40, but they concede to Dave's greater.... experience in years.)

7

Erik Tanner, Orlando, FL (jr)

17

17

12

10

8

7

5

76

17

59

Top Junior (and look how those scores keep going up and up!) and Top Rookie, for the highest-placing first timer at the event! Way to go!

8

Mindy Strauley, Tarpon Springs, FL

7

8

8

5

17

17

17

79

17

62

and she had the flu!

9

Eric Ericson, Sarasota, FL

11

9

10

9

9

17

17

82

17

65

look for photo of his reefed rig in the Log!)

10

Mystery Sailor

17

7

6

8

17

17

17

89

17

72

11

Bill Mauk, Miami, FL

12

11

11

7

17

16

17

91

17

74

imported Lightning sailor. Too bad the rudder fixture fell off before race 5!)

12

Kyle Wagner, (jr)

10

10

17

17

7

17

17

95

17

78

13

Paul Strauley, Tarpon Springs,FL

5

6

17

17

17

17

17

96

17

79

14

Jeff Willis, Tampa, FL (jr)

17

15

17

17

17

8

6

97

17

80

He also played football this weekend at his Homecoming game -- ah, the energy of youth!)

15

Pat Hamilton, East Coast, FL

9

16

9

12

17

17

17

97

17

80

16

Michael Mierswa, Sarasota,FL (jr)

15

14

17

17

10

9

17

99

17

82

And at about 100 lbs, the toughest pound-for-pound-per-year sailor out there!)