May 21st 2005 - Hospice Regatta Fort Lauderdale
It was just one of those perfect summer days. Except for the wind. As the announcer said at the prize giving ....." we had south westerly wind, we had westerly, we had easterly and even north easterly - we had wind and then we had holes with no wind - anyone who did well today should be proud, and for those that didn't do too well - don't be too hard on yourself!" Couldn't have said it better myself
Cat44 was well represented again - but this time most of the fleet was aboard Don's boat "Double Trouble". We had 6 Hobie 16's and one A-class boat lumped together in the Beach Cat class.
The light wind and significant shifts at the start turned out to really favor the right side of the lane, and Danny led Willie and Hunter to the first mark, with the rest of the fleet way back. Danny got slammed head-to-wind in amongst the massive monohulls and ended up going from 1st to last in the Hobie 16's. Willie sailed into the lead followed by Mark, Hunter, Dick and Doug. Eventually Danny extricated himself from the mess and got going again. Brett made up the short 8 minute handicap quickly and was gone never to be seen again.
Danny slowly caught up the group and was in second place when he saw Willie ahead come to a complete stop ahead and flip over onto port tack and head out to sea. Danny, Mark and Hunter sailed into a dead stop and were quickly surrounded by the large monohulls that kept on going due to their heavier weight and momentum. Eventually the wind filled in and the race was on. Less than 1 mile form the 2nd mark, Danny and Willie overtook "Double Trouble"' that had earlier on powered through the hole regardless, and moved into 2nd and 3rd respectively behind Brett. Hunter had pulled away from Mark but as the wind strengthened Mark started reeling in Hunter. Dick and Doug were always in the picture.
Brett was first around the 2nd mark, followed by Danny and Willie together. Mark was ahead of Hunter, Doug and Dick. On the long homeward leg the chop came up and Willie sailed away from the fleet as he has done so many times before. Doug made up the most ground overtaking Mark and giving Danny a good run to the finish line.
Brett ,Willie and Danny, by finishing 1st, 2nd and 3rd ensured that Cat 44 repeated its 2004 result winning the prestigious First place Yacht Club Challenge Cup (Top 3 boats on corrected time from the same club). All seven Cat44 boats finished in the Top 10 overall.
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Many thanks to Jim Jesse and Bob Shell for their photos posted below
Photos (in sequence) courtesy Cristina Ramirez
Photos courtesy Bob Shell
Photos courtesy Jim Jesse
Prize Giving Photos by Danny Steyn
