Smyth Sails YO! to Victory

Bert Rice, Regatta Chairman

Pensacola Yacht Club – Thirty teams from twelve states and Canada set sail on Pensacola Bay, April 22 – 27, for the thirteenth Corsair Trimaran Nationals, and Randy Smyth stepped back aboard YO! to claim the Ian Farrier Perpetual Trophy.

On Monday evening, April 23, we gathered at the Quietwater Boardwalk Shell for live music from Clark and Company, a great Mexican feast hosted by Cabo’s Mexican Grill, and the Skippers’ Meeting.  After the brief meeting we dined and enjoyed special prices on Bushwackers at Bamboo Willies while the sun slipped below the horizon of Pensacola Bay.

Tuesday, Day One; three buoy races with windward leeward courses, 1.25 – 1.5 miles in length were sailed without a course change in ten – twelve knots.  Randy took command of PHRF A, Steve Marsh kept his Key West Race Week rolling and led the 28R’s.  Glenn Howell did some sea battle with Wayne Jablonowski on his newly acquired C 31, Phoenix and managed a slim lead at the end of the day.  In PHRF B, Don Wigston, last year’s Ian Farrier Champion, kept his streak going with one of the new Sprint 750’s made in Viet Nam.

Wednesday, Day Two; the Race Committee sent the fleet out to Pensacola Sea Buoy on a twenty – six mile long adventure in light air and strong current.  For many boats, there were just too many marks.  The term, RAF, became popular when skippers realized they had failed to round one of the shoal marks.  We have already engineered a solution for the next regatta.  This race is featured on Kattack.com, and I guarantee you will enjoy watching Randy sail YO! through the fleet so quickly.  We gathered at Hemingway’s Grill on Pensacola Beach that evening for dining and camaraderie.  The large crowd appeared in no hurry to leave the fine setting and their friends, even long after the sun had gone down.

Thursday, Day Three;  Due to an incoming squall line which threatened us with hail, strong winds, and lightning, the Race Committee stood down and eventually canceled racing for the day due to the lingering advance.  Sometimes we just can not “take the weather with us.”  Pensacola Yacht Club hosted our annual “Shipwreck” Banquet, and we enjoyed not only the fine dining, but West Marine made sure we could offer plenty of top - shelf doorprizes.  The hospitality had a slight lead over the racing at bedtime.  The Kattack presentation of the Sea Buoy Race on our big screen TV by the bar did keep some crews up later than others though.

Friday, the Final Day;  The six knot nor’wester for race one back - slipped into a “Ya Hoo, Daddy” sou’wester at 210 degrees and eighteen knots for the final three races in the series.  With only two starts the racing became down right close at the marks.  The Blue group of C 24’s, Sprint 750’s, and C 28 R’s pulled the trigger first, then the Yellow group of F 25 C’s, C 31’s, F 27’s, and C 28’s launched five minutes later.  By the time we reached the gate at the end of leg two (four more legs remaining) everybody was ducking and dodging and even flying hulls over competitors.  Cliff Farrah, driving his Corsair 28 R, Strategery 3 became comfortable in these conditions and claimed his first win in the series.  The Great Spirit was with us, and after four races, we were able to return to the harbor for awards without serious damage or physical injury. 

The Harken Bullet Awards appeared two days ago.  I had hidden them from myself the week before the event, but I did find them.  These will be awarded to skippers winning class races by “Design.”  This method will allow more sailors to be recognized for winning a race with their Class Design.  Our Harken “Bullet Skippers” include Randy Smyth, YO! – F 25 C,  Don Wigston, Sprint 750, Glenn Howell, Adios – C 31, Wayne Jablonowski, Phoenix – C 31, Steve Marsh, Dealer’s Choice – C 28 R, Bob Harkrider, Bad Boys – C 28 R, Linda Wright, Katrina Remix – C 28 CC, Bruce Kuerten, Farfalla – C 24, Jim Chambers, Snowfox - C 24, and John Achim, Tri N Catch Me – F 27.  These will be shipped or delivered soon.  For Class and the Ian Farrier Fleet Awards see the results page.

No regatta would be possible without a corps of devoted professionals to handle the on – the – water tasks or on – land hospitality.  Fairlie Brinkley served as PRO again this year with support from Chip MacMillan aboard Maxine, Steve Solice, Pin Set, and Bernie Knight, Mark Set.  Betsy Moraski, our yacht club Race Chairman put together a fine staff and made sure the race committee enjoyed bountiful lunches.  Larry and Mil Shannon provided Ennis for the press and safety.  Ann Owczarczak and Millie Cascone served as our registration - daily check – in and greeting staff.  Our General Manager, Stephen Suchy was always on hand to assist our guests, especially on Thursday when the lunch crowd slammed the staff.  The food was great, but I am sure everyone would “have rather been sailing.”

William Paden served as our Protest/Jury Chairman and provided us with the red and green "channel markers" for the start and finish lines.  Charles Harp and Mark Smith assisted William with "room decor."  Maryanne Hayes, Fleet Captain for Navy Yacht Club - Pensacola, was our scoring officer. 

The REAL new feature for this event was brought to us by Paul Horton, C31 – Tribology, who master - minded the Kattack Program.  Paul spent many, many hours bringing us the “new age” in sailing and racing.  In fact, he was moving his home from LA to Austin, TX the week prior to the event.  How he managed to accomplish such multi – tasking is a mystery to me.  Watch out for new evolutions and upgrades coming soon to a computer screen or TV monitor this year.

Our sponsors make it all happen.  Corsair Marine covered the yacht club sponsorship and offered funding for the Kattack display without hesitation.  Paul Koch is on the owners’ side of sailing.  For quick links  to our other fine sponsors and supporters just ping the page.

Well, I am out of babble for now.  I wish to thank all who have sent their notes of thanks.  Please send in some sea story from individual boats so we can re – live some of the exciting personal adventures and moments.  Send us some color.  Have a delightful and safe sailing season.  Happy Trails to You, until we meet again.