The 2^nd stop on the Florida district championship series is the Penfield Memorial Regatta. Held the 2^nd weekend of November the regatta was named after long time fleet member Jeff Penfield 4 years ago. Each year during the event the Penfield trophy is awarded for leadership within the class and district. Previous winners include Dave Thinel, Ron Pletsch, and John Domagala. This year Bob Twinem, Sarasota fleet captain, was recognized for his grassroots leadership. He and his wife Brenda have done a tremendous job the past few years energizing the local fleet, helping new members, promoting the class, and encouraging Fl circuit participation.

There was also some great racing during the weekend despite less than perfect conditions. Three races were completed on Saturday after a short postponement, allowing the dying easterly to be replaced by the westerly. Tom McNally and crew Ahad Jehanigin stayed ahead of Dave and Kim Thinel for the bullet in the 1^st race. The second race saw current national champions Jeff and Amy Linton battle 2014 midwinter champions Zeke and Jay Horowitz for the front of the fleet with Jeff and Amy coming out on top. Race three results followed suit and Jeff and Amy’s 4-1-1 was one point better than Zeke and Jay’s 3-2-2 when the fleet headed back to the dock. As of dinner Saturday Dave and Kim were holding on to 3^rd place with a 2-5-5. Most of the remaining sailors had both up and down results on the shiftier than usual Sarasota bay.

The rain that had started Saturday as the boats docked continued to grow and the temperature dropped as the front moved in. The cold and wet conditions drove most tent campers to fleet members couches, floors, and local hotels.. Sunday morning sailors were greeted with overcast skies and a rain that had mostly cleared. The front had brought a stronger northerly was challenging but sailable. Zeke and Jay took to the conditions,  winning both Sunday races. Jeff and Amy finished the day with a 2-4 and local sailors Marshall Pardey and Chuck Tanner enjoyed the conditions with a 4-3 performance. Marshall and Chuck’s finishes were strong enough to move them into 3^rd behind Jeff and Amy. Tom McNally hung on for 4^th place with Key Largo sailors Jim and Cheryl Signor riding a full regatta of top 10 finishes to 5^th place overall.

Results are here.  Next up for the Florida district is Jacksonville in December, Port Charlotte in January, and Lake Eustis in February. Come down for one of these and leave your boat in Florida for the Midwinters back in Sarasota in March!!