Snipes taking fun seriously in the winter

The 52nd DonQ Rum Keg Regatta delivered its dependable mix of Serious Sailing, Serious Fun® on March 23-25 in Miami, FL. With five countries and 31 boats completing eight races on Biscayne Bay, it remains the premier Snipe event in the winter and one of the best of the year.

Friday’s forecast was for 15-18 knots of NE breeze, but it never built to anything over 14 knots and the shifts provided plenty of opportunity for gains and losses on the four leg windward leewards. Ernesto Rodriguez/Kathleen Tocke won all three races, so the battle was for second overall with the points tight behind them. (This theme would continue for the next two days.)

Saturday’s breeze was a little lighter and righter, and less predictable than the usual Biscayne Bay with shifts and puffs filling from both sides. Ernesto and Kathleen finally managed to sail a drop race (a second, behind George Szabo/Diana Waterbury). Carol Cronin/Kim Couranz moved up to second overall with three top six scores, but the points remained close going into the final day.

Sunday’s glassy Bay required a postponement to wait for the seabreeze, but the race committee’s patience was rewarded and we managed to squeak in two more races in a 4-7 knot southerly. Randy Lake/Madeleine McGrath avoided the biggest holes and handled the powerboat chop well to win race 7; Pietro Fantoni/Silvia Penso took the last race (and then also won the all-important race to the hoist). Three countries in the top five!

Final Results (Top 5 of 31; 8 races, 1 discard)
1. USA Ernesto Rodriguez & Kathleen Tocke, 9
2. USA Carol Cronin & Kim Couranz, 34
3. ITA Pietro Fantoni & Silvia Penso, 40
4. MEX Alfonso Garcia Bringas & Danel Balausteguigoitia, 40
5. USA Randy Lake & Madeleine McGrath, 43

Full results… click here.

Source: Carol Cronin