Fort Walton Yacht Club Smokes’ em at the 2017 Trimaran Nationals
Fort Walton Yacht Club Smokes’ em at the 2017 Trimaran Nationals
This year’ s Trimaran / Corsair Nationals were held at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron in January. Thirty two entries duked it out in various classes.
Many entries arrived after pulling their boats out of the snow from the frigid Northern latitudes. Yours truly got the teams warmed up for racing with an on the water speed seminar before the regatta began. After a full day of focused drills, the teams perfected( or at least improved) their starts, spinnaker sets, jybes and tactics.
Friday and Saturday provided excellent 8 to 18 knot winds allowing the Trimarans to break the 20 knot speed barrier at times. After race social interaction was enhanced at the‘ Squadron’ as many racers chose to snooze on their boats or pitch tents on site. Saturday night’ s banquet was held inside with a robust fire keeping everyone warm.
Sunrise on Sunday brought glassy water and a dismal Sailflow forecast of minimal winds for the day. Trophies were awarded based on the 7 races sailed previously. Both Fort Walton Yacht Club entries captured top spots. Don Wigston sailed‘ Pace Maker’ with crew Mike McGarry( non FWYC) to victory in the new and exciting Pulse 600 by winning 6 out of 7 races in their class. The overall winner was 100 % FWYC with Randy Smyth, Linda Wright and Joseph Bello sailing the F25C YO! Second overall and the first Corsair Trimaran was Kathryn Garlick sailing her F28R.
Sunday evening a retro rock and roll band kicked in to instigate some rather bizarre dancing under the full moon. And the beat goes on …
~ Randy Smyth
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