After a week with two excellent fundraisers where more than 250 people contributed over $40,000 to our Olympic campaign, Andy hopped a flight back to Valencia and Vince Brun arrived in Miami to sail the Commodore's Cup with me. Every now and then you get one of those perfect days for yacht racing on Biscayne Bay, this weekend we had two. We had sunny skies, warm water, and 12-15 knots out of the east and to top it all off, beautiful sunsets under a nearly full moon. The Bay was full of boats with Etchels racing on Saturday and a PHRF regatta on Sunday and Yngling and 470's out training but the Stars took center stage.
With three races on Saturday, Augie Diaz got off to a quick start with Phil Trinter showing that he knows his way around Biscayne Bay as anyone by winning the first race. Peter McChesney and Shane Zwingleberg had a consistent day posting a 2-1-2 to claim the day one lead. Vince and I had a great day with good upwind speed and solid tactics posting a 3-2-1 hitting the docks one point behind McChesney.
It is always a treat to sail with great sailors and Vince was no exception. He was always focused on one or two important points to make gains on each leg. Each close situation was attacked with calm confidence and executed with precision.
Sunday presented us with the same beautiful weather and a bit more wind. After a day in the boat, Vince was ready to make some changes to our Lillia and as a result we were smoking fast upwind. The left side of the course was strong both days with puffs reaching the left first before fill across to the right so we started at the pin and played the left. Aside from over-standing the weather mark in first race we had a great day winning both races. Peter McChesney kept us on our toes leading the first race and forcing us to pass him on the last run leaving us tied going into the last race.
After two wonderful days of sailing Vince Brun took the victory with yours truly scoring a 3-2-1-1-1 followed by Peter McChesney and Shane Zwingleberg with Augie Diaz and Phil Trinter in third.
Cheers!
Brad
