We're recently back from the Corsair Nationals and Rendezvous hosted by Pensacola Yacht Club.  Hit hard by Hurricane Ivan, race organizers put on a happy face and put on a fine event which included four days of Buoy Racing and a Sea Buoy Race on day three for the racers and an equally impressive schedule of Cruising and Social events for the Cruisers. 

 

Racing started on Monday, April 26, with a practice race scheduled in the morning, followed by two round-the-buoy races, sailed in 12-18 knots of breeze.  Tuesday had threatening weather forecasted, but the Race Committee managed to get in three races in 12-15 knots of wind.  On Wednesday, the entire fleet was sent on a long-distance race across the bay, out Caucus Channel into the Gulf, then we had a 10 mile beat up the coast to Perdido Pass , and run back - a total of almost 47 miles.  The wind started off moderate heading across the bay, but picked up to 20 knots by the trip back.  Coming back through the Caucus Channel was a wild ride as we close reached through the channel in an opposing current. Once the fleet made the turn back into the bay though, it was chutes up(for most of us) and a horse race back to the finish. On Thursday - the final day of racing - the Race Committee got off three races for a total series consisted of nine races.

 

There was one dismasting...the F31D, Rockateer III, driven by Randy Smyth.  As it was explained to me, "They were canting the rig on the 10 mile beat in the Gulf of Mexico during the long distance race. They have Precourt sidestays with the deadeyes and when loosening on one side the friction allowed the whole weight of the rig to come onto one strand of lashing. ie; it didn't "run" through the holes and distribute the load.  This lashing gave way." But there was no permanent damage and Rocketeer III had it's mast back up by the time we got back to the dock.
 

Attendance at this regatta was relatively light with only 34 boats racing, plus another 6-10 registered as cruisers. But, we had a good turn out of Lake Erie Multihullers and other boats from the Great Lakes Region who participated in this dual event.  Matt Scharl, Chicago, IL, on his F-25C, Gamera had the best series of the regatta, with all first place finishes in the 25C fleet and a 1st for a throwout. Matt is most proud of how he finished in the Overall standings.... second place overall in the 34 boat fleet!  Tony Hammer, Windsor, Ont.,  placed second on his F-25 C, Panther. 

 

Jim and I had a less than stellar performance on our Stock F-28, Big Storm in the Open Fleet.   We've never had so much trouble launching  and jibing a chute in our whole lives as we did in this one regatta.  By the time we diagnosed the problem, it was too late.  We had a substantial lead as we approached Caucus Channel for the final leg of the long distance race, when our chute blew up. We salvaged a second place, but it was very disappointing.  It was role reversal as Russ Kincaid, Auburn, NY, raced a really good series  on his Formula F-27, Blue Heron.  Richard Stephen, Ovid, NY and brother Will visiting from New Zealand,  beat us a few races on his Corsair 28CC-R, Trevelyan. 

 

Forbes Husted's, Traverse City, MI sailed to a fifth place in the F-31RS fleet on Ahyadooin.

LEM member, Patrick Quinn from Kirtland, OH on his F-31UC, Tri Again, competed in the F-31RS fleet.

Past F-28R Champion, Tom Reese and brother Bob(Niagara Falls, NY) finished 5th in the 8 boat F-28R fleet. 

Marty Mitchell and Kathy from Renfrow, PA joined in on the cruising activities on their F-24 MKII, Dreamchaser. Jerry Garner, Dearborn Heights, MI, brought his F-27 to the Rendezvous in hopes of picking up a crew, but wound up joining the Cruisers in their activities.  

 

What a great tune-up for the 2005 sailing Season!  Check out the Pensacola Website for more complete results:  http://www.pensacolayachtclub.org/CFRacing/2005Racing/05CorsairOverallFleet

 

Cruising:  Pensacola , FL to St. Joseph Peninsula, FL. 

Jim and I spent another 7 days Cruising the ICW and the Gulf, from Pensacola to St. Joseph Peninsula.  We spent some nights anchored out and some days exploring the Gulf shore and remote beaches.  I communed with school of Stingrays and got attacked by cactus.  I cooked many meals on a one burner stove and we ate at some really good restaurants too.  We had a very exciting sail power reaching back up the Gulf in a Nor'easter and flat water....another great adventure!