2002 XXXIV Regata del Sol al Sol

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By George Crook, Vice Chair

The Regata del Sol al Sol was a great success; twenty seven boats with over 200 sailors raced, all reached Mexico safely. The boats crossed the starting line at 1246 hrs on Friday, April 26, 2002 and Renegade crossed the finish line at 1218 hrs on April 28, 2002. The last boat crossed the finish line at 1410 hrs on May 2, 2002.

A highlight of the race was the three large sailboats, (SLEDS) 69 to 78 ft. long. They finished the race within 5 minutes corrected time. Majority of the winning boats took the advice given at the Skippers Meeting at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club by Jenifer Clark, Gulf Stream presentation and Weather by NOAA. Spinnaker was won by Trader, Non Spinnaker by Sinisterre and True Cruising by Polyphonic. Peter Nielson, Editor of Sail Magazine was onboard Renegade, the first boat to finish. Race article will appear in same issue as Bermuda Race. Some boats took Medical and School Supplies to the Island. Other supplies were shipped.

The Mexican Navy was at the finish line taking the times and welcoming the sailors when they crossed. A pilot boat was there to assist the boats to their marinas and anchor spots. The majority of the boats were docked downtown Isla Mujeres, a convenient location; a short walk to Regata headquarters and hotels.

Club Yates de Isla De Mujeres hosted a dinner and party for Skippers and crew at the Hotel Del Mar. Paulino Adame, Presidente Municipal and the Isla Mujeres City Council proclaimed the Skippers and Sailors as distinguished guests of the Island at the city hall and presented them with a gift and proclamation. Commodore Fraser read and presented a proclamation from the City of St. Petersburg to Isla Mujeres.

The traditional basketball game between Isla Mujeres and the sailors took place on a court on the square by the City Hall. As usual the Isla team won. The game was exciting during the first half, our team gave them a challenge.

The Trophy Awards Dinner on the beach at Hotel Maria del Mar was a unique event. All the tables and chairs were covered in white and the palm trees were lined with lights; it was eloquent. Commodore Fraser, Enrique Lima and Presidente Paulino Adame presented the awards. Mexican music was played during dinner.

A quote by my wife Joyce "Every sailor who completed the race is a WINNER".

The AMIGO REGATA, a race on the lee of the Island with Mexican children was a highlight of the week. Twenty one children were onboard one of the boats. Water guns were used and the crews gave gifts and candy to the children.

The final event was in the square in front of the City Hall, tables and a stage was set up to present the Trophies for the Amigo Race. Teen age girls preformed a Mexican dance of Isla Mujeres. The Pirates kept their women on the Island for protection. The name Isla Mujeres is "Island of Women" in English.

The events on the Island and in St. Petersburg would not be possible without our Sponsor Corona and Great Bay Distributors. The Skippers, Sailors and St. Petersburg Yacht Club thank them. A special thanks go to the following people people; Skip Fraser, Commodore of St. Petersburg Yacht Club for his support and participation in events in St. Petersburg and on Isla Mujeres; Sandy Schoenberg, Chairman, Offshore Racing for his guidance and support; Barbara Sheen Todd, Chairman, Pinellas County Commissioners for her foresight establishing the Fiesta del Sol al Sol, Ronnie Goodstein, Director, Pinellas County Dept Public Affairs and Jan Zach, Director, St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce for their planning and hard work and last but not least Enrique Lima and the Lima Family for 34 years of continued support.

During a discussion with Presidente Paulino Adame I asked him where we could help his people. His comments were "I need a fire truck and training as well as medical attention for my people with defects and problems". Let’s help him and his people!

The Regata del Sol al Sol has grown this year and with the cooperation and assistance of everyone we plan to grow the Regata to 50 boats with five SLEDS and five or more MULTI HULLS. The SLEDS & MULTI HULL’s will both have their own class next year. Presidente Paulino and Mr. Enrique Lima also want to grow the race.

WE ALL LOOK FORWARD TO MAKING THE REGATA & FIESTA DEL SOL AL SOL A MAJOR EVENT FOR THE ST. PETERSBURG YACHT CLUB, ST. PETERSBURG, PINELLAS COUNTY AND THE STATE OF FLORIDA AS WELL AS HELPING OUR FRIENDS ON ISLA MUJERES BY GIVING MEDICAL ATTENTION AND SOLVE THEIR NEEDS FOR A FIRE TRUCK AND TRAINING.