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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