This past weekend was the kick-off for the new Florida District Championship. Mark Taylor narrowly beat Ron Pletsch by just one point to win the regatta. I was unable to attend so the report has been provided by John Damagala. Thanks John!
Ten flying scots gathered at Coconut Grove Sailing Club last weekend for the annual CGSC one design regatta. Classes represented were; Sunfish, Laser, Lightning, Etchells and Flying Scots. Even with the light turnout for us the Scots had the largest fleet. After a shore delay, Saturday morning found Mark Taylor, Dean Bell, & Larry Whipple eager to head out with the race comittee (despite the thick rain accross the bay). After these three left the dock and with the bay dissappearing behind the latest rain band, the balance of the fleet headed for the club house for a self imposed postponment. The next clearing brought the remaining boats out to the course (less the Domagalas claiming a crew illness is a lousy mix for sailing in a downpour). The remaining boats arrived at the course to find the fleet several minutes up the course. Several followed in vain as there was a time limit for starting that had expired. Mark Taylor captured his first bullet of the weekend followed by Larry Whipple. The next two races went off despite the heavy rain that came and went. Ron Pletsch captured two bullets followed by Fred Strammer with two seconds and Mark Taylor with two thirds. The fleet received a good wash down Saturday night as the rain really started coming down.
By Sunday morning the weather had somewhat cleared and the fleet could head out expecting a dryer day. The first race started off in a nice 12-15 knot breeze. The well rested Domagalas took the first race from the first mark with Mark Taylor comfortably in second and Fred Strammer getting ahead of Ron Pletsch for third place. Things lightened up slightly for the 2nd Race of the morning. The fleet headed off for the last race of the series in a breeze that was getting shiftier. Mark Taylor continued to sail well and rounded the weather mark first, a position he would not give up. The Domagalas followed with Ron and Fred close by. The positions held through the downwind gate with Ron making a move on the beat to round the last mark in 2nd place. Ron and the Domagalas went back and forth on the run with Ron holding on to 2nd place and Fred coming in 4th.
With 5 races in, the throw out was in effect for Ron to drop his first (non)race. However, with Mark Taylor dropping only a 3rd he was one point out in front of Ron for the win. The Strammers and Dean Bell rounded out the top 4 for the weekend.
Once a glitsch is worked out the results will be posted on the Florida District website; www.fssa.com/fldist/
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