Augie Diaz takes early lead at Snipe Don Q Regatta

Miami, FL (March 21, 2014) – Fresh from his victory in the 78th Snipe Midwinters in Clearwater, Augie Diaz of Miami, sailing with Aine McLean of Mission Bay California, took an early lead in the Snipe Don Q Regatta, the second leg of the Snipe Southern Circuit, with finishes of 1- 2 in the first two races of the 5 race series.

Following Diaz/McLean are Doug Hart and Ryan Hopps of Mission Bay, 5 points back, and Emmanuel (Manu) Hens with Yannick Laumans of Belgium in a tie for 3rd with Nick Voss and Nicole Popp of Coconut Grove SC in Miami

Jensen McTighe and Julia Melton of Lauderdale are in 5th.

At the competitors meeting prior to the event, the US Snipe Class honored the passing of two iconic Snipe sailors during the past year, former National Champion Francis Seavy of Clearwater and two-time Snipe World Champion Earl Elms of Mission Bay. Following the day’s racing Eric Heim of Mission Bay provided cans of Budweiser to sailors in Earl’s memory, and later in the evening Ken and Kay Voss hosted a reception at their home where sailors could swap memories of the past champions.

Full results of the regatta can be found at: http://www.regattanetwork.com/event/7807

Brainard Cooper reporting