This year's edition was a very interesting regatta.  The 16 qualifiers were met with pleasant weather and wind that for the most part was cooperative.  We got in 21 races over lengthy courses.  Boy was it fun to watch.

The interesting part was that the top 5 boats in one race would be found in the last five spots in the next race.  The boats in the middle sort of stayed in place but the boat that was called last in the previous race would be contending for the lead in the next race.  Until late in the regatta, the leaders were averaging over four points a race.

Many people took turns being the hot boat.  Rick Hawley quietly put together an early string of good finishes to be in or close to the lead.  Ivor Walton and Joe Walter just sailed well through the entire weekend.  Rock Star Ricky Gerry made run before running into some unfortunate situations.  One of Ricky's best moves was a celebration of his victory which came a lap early.  Oops, he managed to win the race but the margin was not as comfortable.

Even though Danny Thomas and Reichard Kahle finished first and second, they really didn't race near each other that much.  Reichard got the early lead but Danny finally got going after a DNF and then took complete control early on Sunday.  Reichard had to switch his attention from catching Danny to holding off Joe Walter who finished just two points back. 

John Rowley could not really figure out which end of the fleet he wanted to be in.  He was quite fast at times and had some good results.  John Bottensek was making some moves falling just short of hardware in 6th place.  Harry Strunk took a race going away after a one race sit down.  Bob Dudinsky sailed as long as his body would allow.  It was quite nice that he stuck around to take pictures for us.

Papa Dick Gerry had his boat moving but Ricky always seemed to get in his way.  Gerry Cobley focused on sailing rather than helping run the event and sailed well.  Carter Cain may have peaked a bit early with several bullets on the practice day.  He kept up the speed on Saturday for while though.

Al Sellers was making an early statement with some good finishes and finished in 7th.  Hal Slentz-Whalen dressed in lime green and orange was highly visible and put up a fine effort in his first Champions Regatta.  Now as far as my friend, Marky Mark Rinehart, can you say rusty?  As the layers of rust feel away, Mark's results improved.  He nearly took a race but Danny "just tacking on headers" Thomas made sure that didn't happen.  Because of that race, the headline for this article became one of the topics of discussion at a post regatta dinner on Sunday.  Even the waitress kicked in to help.  Danny was present but speechless.

Marks suggestion...Vulture picks apart fleet

Crowd favorite with help from waitress...Captain Comb Over crushes Kahle

Running any regatta takes help.  Running one 600 miles from home takes lots of help.  We have to thank our hosts from Charleston, Dick and Rick Gerry for opening their home for the Saturday dinner and Reichard Kahle for logistical support and losing to Danny.  Thanks also go to Joe Walter of the Florida Association for arranging the shirts and having to deal with me.