First, Hometown hero Ethan Bixby showed up with his 5o5 that had been "hanging out with the wrong crowd" -- it now had a bowsprit and an asymmetric spinnaker! Needless to say, Ethan and crew Erik Boothe would be the rabbit for the entire weekend (and would not be scored with the rest of the fleet). Second, even more shocking than the bowsprit was the appearance of a true English gentleman from the Left Coast – the infamous Brit(and current runner-up at Worlds) Mike Holt. He was there to drive for the third surprise, the second Prodigal Son, Nick Nelson, who has returned from his quest to marry an Arabian princess. Finally, Holtie brought along with him from SanFran lots and lots of BREEZE.

Friday began with a blast, as a cold front was moving through St. Petersburg. The 5o5s left the beach (with the A Cats strapping themselves to the palm trees) in a southerly 18-20 and trekked across the shipping channel. Once there, the breeze built to the upper 20s as the front began to reach the Bay. “Comandante” Drew Buttner and Ramsey “Snookie” Key showed off the tricks the learned out at Worlds and took the bullet in the windy race. JB Turney & Russ Miller took second, and Augie Diaz and crew Luke Lawrence took third. With winds in the upper twenties, the fleet scurried home as the storm peaked with gusts in the fifties. The fleet dined that night at the Pass-a-Grille Women’s club, with Holtie sharing his thoughts on sailing in big breeze.

Saturday began out quite a bit calmer, as most of the front had moved through, leaving more consistent winds in the lower twenties. Buttner – Key continued their hot streak in the second race, taking the bullet. Augie – Lawrence and took second and Holtie-Nelson took third. As with Friday, the breeze continued to build, and even Holtie certified it as being windy. The second race of the day was taken by Augie & Lawrence. Macy Nelson and Parry Barclay took second and Uncle Henry Amthor and Dustin Romey took third. With the breeze continuing to build, the fleet headed home again. A Cat Ben Moon and Erik Boothe led the fleet out to the next racecourse in the heart of downtown St. Pete’s.

By Sunday morning, the front had mostly moved through, and with most of the fleet still licking their wounds, a few were looking forward to tamer conditions. Teams were still wire running for the first two races, and three quality races were run. Jesse Falsonito and Chris “Grasshopper” Behm emerged from the hospital (see below) for a great day, taking a bullet and two seconds. Augie & Lawrence took a bullet in the second race.

Congrats to Augie Diaz & Luke Lawrence on their title (Augie’s second in two years in the fleet) and to regatta organizers Ethan Bixby and Lin Robson for running the show off the water. Also, big thanks to Dave Ellis (the PRO) for running the show on the water.

Closing thoughts:

• Jesse Falsone received four stitches on his head after his boat attacked him. He did not lose consciousness and was thus still able to update his Facebook status.
• The Chicago boys dented their blue truck; they both blame each other.
• Ali Meller threw a temper tantrum and bent his spinnaker pole on his knee.
• Macy Nelson continues to remain the faster of the two Nelsons, as he and Parry took fifth and Nick and Holtie took seventh.
• Ethan will post a write-up soon on his learnings from the asymmetric kite.

R.C.Chair: Dave Ellis
Scorekeeper: Ethan Bixby
7 Feb, '10, 15:03
St. Pete Scorer [1]