Communtiy

Strictly Sail boat show to offer sales, free rides

By DAVE ELLIS, Times Correspondent
Published October 31, 2007

The waterfront at Spa Beach in downtown St. Petersburg near the Municipal Pier will be the most nautical place to be Nov. 1-4 for the Strictly SailSt. Petersburg boat show.

One of Sail America's premiere events in the country and the Gulf Coast's "Sailabration of Sail," the show offers an exciting lineup of sailboats, trawlers and power cats, not to mention two large tents filled with the latest gear and accessories. There are special events and a full schedule of daily seminars for cruisers of all ages.

Get a free ride on a sailboat from the show at Discover Sailing.

Those who know what they want can save serious money with a boat show purchase. Those who are still looking can compare conveniently. Wear deck shoes or socks under removable footwear to board the boat of your dreams. Area sailing chandleries will be represented in booths, along with national brands representing everything from the frivolous to the essential.

Head to strictlysailstpete.com for the schedule of events and exhibitors.

505 NORTH AMERICANS: St. Petersburg sail maker Ethan Bixby was victorious in the 505 North Americans in Annapolis, Md. With top talent sailing in this most competitive of sailing classes, Bixby's crew was Eric Boothe, who recently moved to Annapolis. They had previously won the Midwinters together in the class.

The regatta was sailed in lighter breeze, with the windiest race topping about 16 knots. In the light stuff, the local boat had a speed advantage that showed graphically on the electronic tracking of the boats.

CHAMPIONSHIP OF CHAMPIONS: San Diego was the venue this year for the event, pitting 20 of sailing's national champions against each other.

Florida sailors won the top three positions. Ernesto Rodriguez of Miami, representing the Snipe class, won. Tampa Bay area sailor Jeff Linton, representing the Flying Scot class, along with crew Allen Capellin of Sarasota placed second, and Miami's Augie Diaz, also representing the Snipe, finished third.

The regatta was held in Snipes, a boat Linton had not sailed except for a quick preview by Colin Park at the St. Petersburg Sailing Center just before the event.

DAVIS ISLAND CLASSIC: The feeder race for keelboats from Tampa to Clearwater for next weekend's Clearwater Classic Regatta saw 17 boats make the trek. It took between 10 and 14 hours for the boats to finish in light air. For results, go online to www.diyc.org.

SUNFISH FLORIDA DISTRICTS: A school of 20 sunfish swarmed around Clearwater Yacht Club, but one sailed every race faster than the others. David Mendelblatt of St. Petersburg Yacht Club showed that he is the one to catch, as he won all seven races. Second was Joe Blouin of Davis Island YC, with Paul Strauley placing third.

HIGH SCHOOL SAILING: The Cressy High single-handed sailing championship was held in Seattle. Florida sailors dominated.

In the Laser, David Hernandez of Miami was first, followed by Zeke Horowitz of Pine View, near Sarasota, and Luke Lawrence of Martin County.

The Radial rig was won by a California sailor, with Mateo Vargas of Lakewood High in second and Ian Heausler of Plant High in third.

Meanwhile, local high school teams that have qualified for the high school nationals are Plant, Lakewood, Pine View, Jesuit of Tampa, Sarasota, St. Petersburg Catholic and Shorecrest Prep.

RACE COMMITTEE EXCELLENCE: St. Petersburg Yacht Club has won the top award for regatta excellence in 2007.

The honor is bestowed by U.S. Sailing, the national governing body for the sport. The trophy was originally donated in 1978 by the local club and is titled St. Petersburg Yacht Club Trophy.

For many years the club did not apply for the honor, considering it bad form to vie for their namesake award. This year, the Lightning Midwinters was submitted. Race chair Tom Farquhar had previously won the honor three times while serving at other clubs. SPYC event manager Bob Birkenstock received the prize at the U.S. Sailing meeting in Phoenix.

[Last modified October 30, 2007, 19:57:29]