Annual SS23 Regatta Is In The Books

THE 2024 SEA SPRITE REGATTA…July 27th

Some would call it global warming, some may call it Deja Vue, or some may simply say it was the weather gods repeating the same weather we had for the 2023 regatta. Fortunately, we had a skilled Professional Race Team that managed to get the two scheduled windward – leeward – windward races off after a two-hour postponement due to fickle winds swinging throughout the northern quadrant.

Race number one was a shifty event with winds coming and going in an erratic manner. Coupled with a flooding tide the fleet had to contend with on the weather leg, getting to the weather mark was much like spinning a roulette wheel. Positions changed throughout the race with some boats barely able to squeeze by the weather mark without being swept into it from the strong tide. In the end, wizard Bob Catani and his Bromasole took first place, with Max Sherman and his Artemis squeezing out second, and Bob Rude’s Oasis wrapping up the third-place finish.

Exhausting skippers and crews drifted around between races while the race committee got set up for a 90-degree wind shift and winds building to over 15 knots. Once the race got underway, three boats reached the weather mark right off the bat. On the downwind leg, Oasis overtook Bromasole and held on to round the leeward mark first and held on to win Race 2 by two seconds. It was a real nailbiter.

After the racing, everyone dragged their weary bodies back to the Bristol Yacht Club for pizzas, beers, and prizes. It typified what yacht racing is all about. Lots of stories, comparing notes, food and drink, and, of course, the awards ceremony.

Commodore Dom Messerli handed out the trophies to the day’s winners. Lots of smiles and good fellowship ensued. That’s what makes the Sea Sprite class such a great group. We expect the fleet to grow by at least two or three boats for next year. 2025 is just around the corner. For now, though, everyone is preparing for our fall extravaganza…the annual Race Around Hog Island, scheduled for September 14. Buy a boat. Be part of our one-design party! Or, bring your own boat and watch the excitement!