XXXVI Regata del Sol al Sol St. Petersburg Yacht Club's 456 mile Race to Isla Mujeres, Mexico George Crook, Chairman Home

The 36th Regata del Sol al Sol started on April 20, 2004 with 4 to 5 knot winds at the starting line in Tampa Bay. The afternoon breeze set in at 3:30 pm and the boats were off to a great race with winds of 10 to 25 knots. After leaving Tampa Bay all boats were on a reach for the balance of the race. Steve Mills, J125, VELOX had the fastest time to Isla Mujeres with an elapsed time of 63 hrs, 30 min, 15 sec. Steve was within 1 hr 44 min. of the record set by Rosebud. James Fauske's, Lagoon 47, SIERRA HOTEL established a new record for Multi-Hull boats with an elapsed time of 66 hrs, 48 min 40 sec. First overall was Ryan Cox's Island Packet 42; SOUTHERN CROSS, with a corrected time of 44 hrs 12 min

True cruising was the largest class with 16 boats. Fred Bickley's, Irwin 44; MANGO LATITUDES was first in True Cruising 1; Ryan Cox, Island Packet 42; SOUTHERN CROSS first in True Cruising 2 and Kenneth McKinney's, Hunter 37; QUIDAM first in True Cruising 3. James Fauske's, Lagoon 47, SIERRA HOTEL was first in Spinnaker class and Mitchell Massie's Island Packet 42, REFLECTION was first in non Spinnaker.

Each boat reported their co-ordinates daily and their locations were available to family and friends on the regatta website www.regatadelsolalsol.org The Mexican Navy had a vessel at the Finish line and a courtesy boat escorted each sailboat to a dock to check in at customs and to their designated slips. This worked extremely well during the evening hours.

Island activities started on Sunday, April 25th with a Welcome Beach Party. On Monday was a special reception at Commodore Lima's, Casa de las Rocas for Skippers, Navigators and Authorities. Commodore Lima is 92 years of age and is the founder of the Isla Mujeres race 36 years ago.

A reception was held by Mayor Paulino Adame at the Isla Mujeres City Hall where Skippers, Commodores, Officials and Race Committee Chairman were declared Distinguished Guests of the Island.

After the reception Miss Regata del Sol al Sol was crowned followed by Mexican Dancers on the square by the City Hall. The Race Committee presented numerous supplies to the local Firemen to supplement the Fire Truck donated by St. Petersburg Yacht Club and Pinellas County last year.

Commodore David Cox and George & Joyce Crook visited the local school and donated school supplies supplies by the Optimist Club. Sails painted by St. Petersburg Schools were also presented to local students.

A Beach party with volleyball competition was on Wednesday. The Regata de; Sol al Sol trophy presentation was held at Hotel Maria del Mar on the beach on Thursday evening. This was an elegant party with tables on the sand with white embroidered tablecloths and silverware. Sailors enjoyed the outdoor environment enjoying an elegant dinner with their feet in the sand.

On Friday a Basketball game between the Sailors and the local Isla Mujeres team took place with the local team winning in a close match. Regatta Sailors won only twice in 30 years of competition. The AMIGO REGATA was on Saturday. Boats with Isla Mujeres children aboard raced around the Island. T-shirts, toys and gifts were given to the children after the race. The Amigo Regata awards dinner on the beach took place. Mexican Navy Admiral, Arturo Bernal, St. Petersburg Yacht Club Commodore Cox, Club Yates de Isla Mujeres Commodore Lima and Mexican Officials attended.

On Sunday boats were on their way home; family and friends took the Ferry to Cancun, then by air to their homes. A great time was had by all. Get your boat ready to join your fellow sailors to sail in the Regata del Sol al Sol to Mexico and enjoy the Regatta and cultural experience.