This is the regatta report for the last race of our SunCoast Laser Series 2011.  Series VI was hosted by the Sarasota Sailing Squadron, Dave Hillmyer and Donna Hillmyer.  The facilities of the squadron were fantastic to accommodate our bunch.  And a bunch we were, 22 Laser sailors!!  That is our Series record turnout for the year!!  Some people launched from the open beach, some from their dinghy beach and yet a couple more close to the docks.

We had 12 Standard rigs and 10 Radial rigs.  Our sailors were a mixed group in regards to age, several “masters” and the always welcomed and celebrated young sailors from the different youth sailing programs in the area.  Let me mention by name those youth sailing programs because I believe that our sport starts with the kids (here we go Mr. Rivera gets all mushy)…the kids receive early on that calling of the sea and the wind because it is in them already pulling them to the shore, lucky are those who hear the call and open their souls to the romance of the sea…  So there, Venice was there, Davis Island, Sail-Fit, Sarasota Sailing Squadron and I bet at least one more, you are always welcomed kids, thanks for coming!

The conditions were great for Laser sailing, never less than 7 knots except on that band half way between the start line and the windward mark where the winds just got weak for a hundred yards or so and then pick up again…the bridge, building shadows, whatever it was, that wall was there.  It certainly provided for an exercise in “switching” gears from sailing at 7 knots, going down to 3 knots and then back to the 10’s and 12 knots.  The whole bay was ours to play in and the weather was chamber of commerce pretty.  In those near perfect conditions, the smart race committee ran 5 races in our regular format, windward/leeward twice around, open starting line.  They managed to sneak in a couple of only once arounds and they also used the standard big boat 5 minutes sequence but…since volunteers are free and since they did such a great job keeping the starting line square to the windward mark and keeping us hydrated by supplying much needed bottled waters and overall ran a superb event I have only one thing to say, “thanks race committee!!”

On the big boys side of the house, we had very good sailors.  All of them.  Buzzy, Jeff Olson, Jeff Duval, Randy, up and coming Chris Jones, John Paulson, Dean Carballal (who is having a super season), Dave Hillmyer, Dave Olson; heck all of those guys provided for very intense competition.  No, I did not forget, I am highlighting it, yes, Ed Baird was on the line with us, racing a full rig and managing a 2nd place!  Ed Baird kids!!  For ten bucks entry fee I got to start 5 races on the same line with Ed Baird, how cool is that?!

Once the racing was done and the boats put away, we were treated to sodas, beer, more water, snacks and healthy celery, carrots and broccoli.  The awards ceremony was as laid back as we all are.  Trophies for top three standard and top three radial.

Rounding up this report, we had 6 SunCoast Laser Series races this year.  2 at Davis Island YC, 1 each at Sarasota Sailing Squadron, Clearwater Community Center, St Petersburg Sailing Center and Tampa Sailing Squadron.  We had the Masters at Davis Island YC as well.  Basically 7 races for the year!!  Nice.  I think we should do it again next year….what do you think?  Yeah!!  We will!  Thanks to all the competitors, organizers, cheer leaders, clubs and sailing squadrons, volunteers, race committee folks, scorers, etc.  I had a great time working with all of you and I look forward to doing it all over again!  Yeah, we may repeat all venues, we may visit a new place, we will figure it out.  Same format always, same entry fee.

So what is left to do?  You are in charge of alerting all your Laser sailing buddies to the fun we had and how cool sailing your Laser with friends is.  You are to tell your sailing club that you want more Laser sailing in your home waters.  You are to join the Laser Class and helps us help you in enjoying your Laser even more.  Stay tuned as we will have many more Laser racing activities in the area.

Again, thanks to all of you who made it possible for me to sail my beloved Laser with friends.

Submitted by Antolin Rivera SunCoast Laser Fleet organizer and cheerleader
My Laser email address is: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Race results race results race results!!



Laser Suncoast Regatta VI
Sarasota Sailing Squadron
Saturday, November 12th 2011

Overall    Class Finish    Sail #    Name    Full/Radial/4.7    Race 1    Race 2    Race 3    Race 4    Race 5    Total    Drop    TOTAL
1    1    158697    Jeff Olson    Full    1    2    2    2    23 (DNS)    30    23    7
2    2    191963    Ed Baird    Full    2    1    3    4    4    14    4    10
3    3    191467    Jeff Duval    Full    5    3    5    1    2    16    5    11
4    4    181131    Buzzy Haeusler    Full    6    4    1    3    3    17    6    11
5    5    191958    Chris Jones    Full    4    6    4    5    9    28    9    19
6    6    171012    Randy Rhea    Full    3    9    7    6    8    33    9    24
7    7    197107    Dean Carballal    Full    7    15    12    8    1    43    15    28
8    8    199912    David Hillmyer    Full    9    7    10    7    5    38    10    28
9    9    191581    John Paulson    Full    11    11    9    10    7    48    11    37
10    1    192007    Susannah Spoto    Radial    10    10    8    9    10    47    10    37
11    2    188969    Nic Baird    Radial    12    8    16    12    11    59    16    43
12    3    192015    Ty Baird    Radial    14    5    11    16    16    62    16    46
13    10    155456    Antolin Rivera    Full    15    13    15    13    6    62    15    47
14    11    164806    Dave Olson    Full    13    10    6    23 (DNS)    23 (DNS)    75    23    52
15    4    184546    Courtney Purcell    Radial    16    17    14    18    6    71    18    53
16    5    199183    Lucas Galarza    Radial    21    14    20    11    12    78    21    57
17    6    173187    Evan Olson    Radial    17    19    13    15    13    77    19    58
18    7    176267    Rita Steele    Radial    18    20    17    17    14    86    20    66
19    8    190373    Justin Frow    Radial    21    21    19    14    15    90    21    69
20    9    195660    Mark Clare    Radial    19    16    18    19    18    90    19    71
21    12    197117    Colton Carveale    Full    8    23 (DNS)    23 (DNS)    23 (DNS)    23 (DNS)    100    23    77
22    10    176872    Jared Paul    Radial    22    21    21    20    19    103    22    81