FBYC FrontRunner Sailors Capture Top Three Places
on Thursday May 3, 2001 12:03PM
The 2001 FrontRunner midwinters were held March 16th through the 18th at Tampa's Davis Island Yacht Club. Six FrontRunners representing FBYC made the trek to DIYC and were greeted with warm conditions. Throughout the morning, the breeze built as the fleet prepared for the afternoon's opening races. The scheduled starting time came and went as crews waited on shore for a break in the gusty 20 to 25 knot winds. Severe thunderstorms were also predicted, but never fully materialized, however the steep chop and strong winds were enough to postpone the regatta's start until Saturday morning.The much anticipated 1st race on Hillsborough Bay began in a 5 knot breeze that faded away to a dead calm as the first boats crossed the line. Bill Spencer and Jennifer McCain in "Red Dog" took the gun, followed by Joe Williams and Doug Magargee in "Sling Blade", and Wood and dad Thorton in "DR & G". The experienced Race Committee postponed the remaining races and towed all competitors in to wait for the 3:00 breeze.
A cool northerly filled in on cue allowing racing to resume in the late afternoon. Smooth water and a 10 knot breeze made for perfect conditions for races 2 and 3. At the end of the day, "Red Dog" remained in the lead, ahead of Lori Moyer and Mike Karn in "NeverNever Land" and Joe William's "Sling Blade".
The strong breeze returned on the third and final day, setting the stage for an exciting finish in races 4 and 5. FBYC claimed the top three spots overall in the standings with "Sling Blade" taking top honors. "Red Dog" took second and "NeverNever Land" finished in third. Also competing from FBYC were Matt Braun and A.L. Spletzer in "No Name" and Jim Black and Doug Moyer in "Fuzzy Logic".
A cool northerly filled in on cue allowing racing to resume in the late afternoon. Smooth water and a 10 knot breeze made for perfect conditions for races 2 and 3. At the end of the day, "Red Dog" remained in the lead, ahead of Lori Moyer and Mike Karn in "NeverNever Land" and Joe William's "Sling Blade".
The strong breeze returned on the third and final day, setting the stage for an exciting finish in races 4 and 5. FBYC claimed the top three spots overall in the standings with "Sling Blade" taking top honors. "Red Dog" took second and "NeverNever Land" finished in third. Also competing from FBYC were Matt Braun and A.L. Spletzer in "No Name" and Jim Black and Doug Moyer in "Fuzzy Logic".