Snipe Nationals – Serious Sailing, Serious Fun

Published on July 30th, 2014

Okoboji, IA (July 30, 2014) – The competitors were moving a little slower this morning at the 2014 Snipe US National Championship, either sleeping in a tent for four plus days is catching up or the posted weather forecast wasn’t enough to invigorate them to launch their boats. The news from the 0830 competitors briefing was that there is no news and everything is continuing as planned for first start at 1000 and two scheduled races.

Apparently one of the locals wasn’t as optimistic about the racing conditions as the Race Committee, he brought his suit and tie with him to the club and after making some repairs and looking at the lake decided that there would likely be no racing and his time was better spent catching back up at work, too bad he didn’t stay. Two races scheduled; two races completed.

Regatta Chair Pat Flood, from the Iowa Nebraska Fleet 309, is very happy with how things were going so far as we hit the mid-week point. Considering the conditions the Race Committee has made the best of it and managed to keep the event on schedule. Pat has enlisted his siblings to help him host the event, with his brothers and sisters housing a large number of the participants and his sisters assisting with the daily meals. The Snipe fleet really is a family affair.

The legendary Gonzalo “Old Man” Diaz had a great day on the water today, sitting in 11th place and only 5 points out of 10th. The Old Man and Patti Bess are putting up a good fight to stay in the top 1/3rd of the fleet. Gonzalo will be celebrating 70 years of Snipe sailing in 2015 and apart from still being a competitive sailor on the course he is a great storyteller on shore, sharing tales of previous nationals.

The youngest skipper in the fleet, Guy Thomas, sailing with his father Will Thomas of the Lincoln (NE) Snipe Fleet is also holding his own in the pack of veterans. Guy sailed with his sister Sarah in the Junior Nationals over the weekend and after having some boat issues has teamed up with his father for the Open Nationals.

After Wednesday’s racing, the fleet headed to dinner at the Okoboji Classic Car Museum and is scheduled to complete the remaining three races on schedule.

Results
Event Website