Read PDF - Southwinds Magazine

Regatta al Sol XXVPensacola to Mexico, May 14-15By Kim KaminskiThis year, the 25th Regatta al Sol to Isla Mujeres, Mexico,from Pensacola Bay, FL, on May 14-15, will be celebrating itssilver anniversary. Sponsors are the Pensacola Yacht Club,Southern Yacht Club and Club de Yates Isla de Mujeres forthe 555-nautical mile race.The race will have three divisions and two starts. Theclass divisions are: Racing division, Cruiser-Spinnaker divisionand the Cruiser Non-Spinnaker division. The twoCruiser divisions will start on May 14 and the Racing divisionwill start on May 15.The boats will be scored on PHRF handicap ratingswith an opportunity option for the Racing division to bescored using the IRC rating rule (which allows cruisers torace against cruiser/racers and against racers with all boatshaving a chance for success in the race as it is a time-on-timerating: corrected time = elapsed time x rating).Minimum boat length is 30 feet, and every boat will besupplied with a transponder that will track the boat’sprogress by satellite. A dedicated Web site for the Regatta alSol XXV will allow those on shore to follow the racers alongtheir journey. The Web site is www.iboattrack.comTrophies will be given out in all divisions for first, secondand third place for corrected time overall and correctedtime in each class. Fleet perpetual trophies will be: “TheTurtle” — Last in Fleet to Finish; and “The Boot” — a specialaward for significant sailing. Others are “special recognitiontrophies.” All will be presented during the Thursdayevening Island Soiree and awards banquet held on IslaMujeres. The banquet will be the finale following the weeklongrace celebration, which includes a welcome party,beach party, a reception at the island’s town hall whereregatta participants are declared distinguished guests, awelcome fiesta – organized by the city where the children ofthe island dance for the participants, a Mardi Gras walkingparade provided by the regatta krewes for the local residentsand the infamous island basketball game between thelocals and the regatta participants.For more information, including registration, NOR andhousing accommodations, go towww.pensacolayachtclub.org.Mexican Hosts Kick off Regataal Sol in Pensacola, March 7By Julie B. ConnerleyMexico Night at Pensacola Yacht Club always offers thatsouth-of-the-border atmosphere sailors eagerly anticipateas they gear up for the biannual Regatta al Sol.Guests at the March 7 dinner were honored by thearrival of Sr. Enrique Lima, commodore of Club de Yatesde Isla Mujeres, and his wife Rosario. The Lima family isthe reason why we have the “oldest sporting competitionbetween North America and Mexico,” as Enrique proudlyrecalled.In recognition of PYC’s centennial year, Sr. Lima presentedCommodore Stephen Solice a replica of the “logoused to promote the first regatta.” The artwork was appliedto wood to be displayed on a wall or inside a trophy case.The Limas also gave a duplicate commemorative logoto Southern Yacht Club during their Regata al Sol kick-offfestivities the following night.Only 14 boats participated in the 2006 regatta. Regattaco-chair, Guy Brierre is hoping for at least 20 this year.“Since the hurricane, some people still haven’treplaced their boats and others are buying trailerableboats,” Brierre said.44th Annual Navy Cup, Navy YachtClub, Pensacola, FL, May 17By Kim KaminskiThe Navy Yacht Club will be celebrating its 44th year ofhosting this regatta for the prestigious Navy Cup Trophy.Races will be held both in Bayou Grande and inPensacola Bay with race activities being held at the NavyYacht Club facility located at the Bayou Grande Marina onthe Pensacola Naval Air Station. A One-Design class usingLasers will be sailing in the bayou on Saturday only, withthe PHRF sailboats with their various class divisions, suchas Spinnaker, Non-Spinnaker and Cruising fleets, competingon Pensacola Bay both Saturday and Sunday. Variousyacht club teams will race against other club teams for mostpoints. All yacht clubs in the Gulf Coast are invited.The top three scoring boats in each class will be presentedawards. For more information, contact Dick Piatt, fleetcaptain, Navy Yacht Club at (850) 479-7892, orpiatt39@cs.com.Biennial GulfstreamerDaytona Beach, FL, to Charleston, SCMay 23-26This long-standing race begins with a traditional rum partyThursday preceding the race and skippers breakfast Fridayat Halifax River YC in Daytona Beach and culminatesTuesday with a Low Country boil and awards at theCharleston YC. Events include a race within a race as theboats sprint from Ponce Inlet to the Main Street pier inDaytona Beach before heading for the Gulf Stream and theovernight passage to Charleston. For complete informationand entry forms, go to www.hryc.com or call (386) 255-7459.■ RACE REPORTSMobile Yacht Club2008 Winter Series, Feb. 2-9By David JefcoatMobile Yacht Club’s Winter Series races were run by VinceArbour on Feb. 2 and Feb. 9. There were 16 different boatsparticipating in this regatta, and the conditions on bothNews & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS April 2008 55