PPYC Force Five Regatta Summary
The Force Five Regatta was held on Saturday March 25. It was held as a Pursuit Distance Race. We had big storms come through Middle Tennessee on Friday night, but we were blessed with a beautiful afternoon. There was however an abundance of breeze. Steady winds in the neighborhood of 12-15 knots with gusts of 20+.
The Non-Spinnaker class was led by Sam Beckman in Danger Zone (Catalina 22), proving to be dangerous as ever. Jeremy Odom was finally able to race his new J/32, Sweet Virginia and had a great showing, coming in second in the Class. Sweet Virginia was in her element with the heavier breeze. Watch out for her in the future. Regatta Chair, Alicia Noble was close behind in Coral Reefer and Valkyrie also finished well. Probably the best thing about the race was how closely together all the competitors finished.
In the Spinnaker category, David Curtze and George Heintz finished in a dead heat. In fact, since nobody could tell who crossed first, it was ruled a Tie. George and Paul Heintz in their Johnson 18 jumped out to nice lead on the initial northbound reaching leg. However, David and his crew on Scooter (S2 7.9) sailed an awesome upwind leg in gusty conditions to catch up right at the finish line.
The regatta was supported by a great Race Committee. Richard Lewis and Alfred Jackson made sure we were fed and ready to race. John Thomason, Tom and Sonya Shepard ran the chase/mark boat and John Patire got some great photos.
Volunteers
David Knapp
Tom and Sonya Shepard
John Thomason
Richard Lewis
Alfred Jackson
John Patire