The 2010 Sun Cat Nationals achieved the primary purpose of entertaining me, and then some! We set a short course Saturday, which turned out to be a long course as the wind died. We only got in one race, and in a particularly embarrassing turn of events, I won my own joke regatta and am now the Sun Cat National Champion. Gawd, how tacky.
Anyway, further racing was called off due to lack of wind, but we had a nice dinner with all the Sun Cat sailors and supporting characters like Rich Hutchins from Com-Pac Yachts and Ed Benson from Gulf Island Sails, who came by and gave us some Com-Pac gear for prizes.
Several did not participate on Sunday due to travel plans, health problems, forecast lack of wind and general fatigue but we actually had a nice morning breeze and sailed around until it died, then had lunch at Harpoon Harry’s and called it a day.
A good time was had by all, and those were the results I wanted. I’ll post the actual race results later, as if anyone cares!
Special thanks to Race Committee Chairman and chief videographer Tom Scott for all his help and for the color commentary on Sun Cat Nationals videos he took. The seemingly endless start of the race is hilarious!
Tom Scott says
“…It’s now Sunday evening, November 14th, and it appears the last Suncat is across the starting line. The tension is palpable.”
Jib Trimmer says
As printed and handed out at dinner by Tom Scott:
SUNCAT NATIONAL’S Race #1, and only.
1) Wiley Conch 1:11:38
2) Sandpiper 1:21:49
3) Odd Duck 1:35:35
4) Catnip 1:53:34
5) Frisky 1:54:08
– Indy Anna DNF
– Sonora DNF
1)Good Juju Horizon Cat Champion (under power)
The result sheet really cracked me up. I feel compelled to point out a few things:
1. It’s Sun Cat, not SUNCAT, though googlebot appreciates it when we have both, so I don’t mind.
2. Topic for discussion: should there be an apostrophe in “NATIONAL’S” or not?
3. It’s Wily Conch not Wiley Conch, or at least it was. Sonja and I both think that Wiley Conch is funnier and since the boat has not been marked with a name, we might go either way.
4. It’s Sanura not Sonora but due to Paul’s rather sonorous race, that is a funny typo and perhaps a keeper as well?
5. You’re going to have to have it out with Isy about that “under power” remark, but since no other Horizon Cat class boats protested, I’d say Good Juju is the undisputed National Champion in that class.
Charlie says
I don’t remember seeing anything in the rules about NOT crossing the line “under power”!!! However, since Good Juju was the undisputed winner of her class I won’t belabor the point. Tom S is on his own as far as dealing with Isy though.
I do have an issue with the start of the race. No one told me the race would actually START ON TIME! I may have to protest.
Thanks y’all for a great weekend, great food, and the chance to meet some old friends. See ya next year if your standards are still low enough to accept us Horizon Catters.
Jib Trimmer says
You need to round up some Horizon Cats for next year! I’m going to try for at least 20 Sun Cats next year!
Jib Trimmer says
The sailing world has lost a great Sun Cat competitor, as Larry Lillie, skipper of Sandpiper, has crossed over the bar.
Paul Scribner says
As the co-winner of the DNF (Do Not Fool with) award, I take umbrage at my pace being characterized as “sonorous”. The mark boat led me astray and then, when deep in a hole drifted backward toward Cayo Costa, Aeolus played his dirty trick and took a lunch break. That being addressed, it was great fun seeing so many SunCats “racing” together. The food and hospitality of the Ray’s was a wonderful backdrop for a memorable event. For many years a Red Sox fan, I used to saying: “Wait till next year!”
Jib Trimmer says
Hah! Next year you’ll have to bribe the mark boat better!