Regata del Sol al Sol

Tom Glew

Tom first learned to enjoy sailing when he was a Midshipman at the Naval Academy in the late 50's. A native of Cleveland, Ohio he accepted a job offer in New Orleans in the late 70's. He quickly learned that there was great sailing on Lake Pontchartrain and the Gulf. He bought a Hunter 33 in 1981 and then a Hunter 40 in 1991. He was a participant in most GYA races for 25 years. In the 90's he entered his boat, XTC, in every Regata al Sol Race (Pensacola to Isla Mujeres) and a race to Havana from Gulfport, MS in 1999. He then learned about the annual Regata del Sol al Sol race from St. Pete to Isla Mujeres. He and XTC have been annual entrants since 2002. Tom finds this race to be very well managed by the St. Pete Yacht Club and it is the ideal offshore race in length (456 Nm), direction, location and safety. He sails Non-spinnaker Class as it makes for a secure and safe race for the crew of which some are new to sailing and racing. The current XTC, a Beneteau 46, was purchased and equipped in 2006 after losing the original one in 2005 to Katrina.
 
Picture is XTC crew preparing for the start of the 2009 Mexico Race.