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2015 Florida 300 Presented by Waves Surf Shop - Day One

Added by DamonLinkous on May 14, 2015 - 09:07 AM

2015 Florida 300 Presented by Waves Surf Shop - Day One - Islamorada to Key Biscayne, Florida - May 13, 2015

The big question from Day One involved the two foiling beachcats, the 20 foot Nacra 20 FCS of team Rocket and the 18 foot Flying Phantom of team Lupe Tortilla, would they be so much faster than the Florida 300 competitors that they would run away from the fleet?

Day one opened with a beautiful clear morning on the beach at the Islander Resort in Islamorada, Florida. The competitors were doing final prep and gearing up looking very focused and "in the zone", not a lot of talking as the experienced teams slid their high performance catamarans into the sea.

The start at Islamorada is unique in the four leg race, since the shoreline doesn't lend itself to a beach start the race committee setup a traditional upwind starting line offshore. The leg started in steady winds from the South South-West at 15 mph, clocking more Easterly during the day allowing for the shortest possible route to Key Biscayne. After the start most of the teams opted to hug the shore while three preceeded out a while before tacking. It wasn't long before the boats were pretty much lined up along the Upper Keys and it was a march to the finish with Rocket in the lead followed by Lupe Tortilla then team Key Sailing closely behind.

About 20 minutes after the start team Key Sailing had a tiller tendon come apart so they had to slow down and create a repair using what they had onboard. Sticky gauze tape from the first-aid kit was used for the repair and it held up all the way to the finish. The repair time slowed them down considerably and the defending champions found themselvs at the back of the fleet, not a position where they have spent a lot of time!

In the meantime, after the start all the team crews left Islamorada and started their own race to arrive at the finish line on the beach in Key Biscayn at the Silver Sands Beach Resort before their teams. Being able to live track the fleet using the Kattack tracking software that each boat carries helped take some of the stress away.

It wasn't long at all after the race committee arrived and setup the finish line before the first boat was in site. It was Rocket, and according to the Kattack tracker Lupe Tortilla was next along with Key Sailing a little behind.

In a little while team Rocket with John Casey and Colin Page finished in just 4 hours and 27 seconds followed by Lupe Tortilla in 4 hours, 33 minutes, and 35 seconds. With the tremendous amount of seaweed in the water it was a really fast time for Islamorada to Key Biscayne. Since the two foiling boats are sailing in their own class and not eligible for the overall Florida 300 win, the issue of who would win the first leg of the Florida 300 still remained.

Team Key Sailing had come into view earlier just trailing Lupe Tortilla but was able to pass them before the finish. After overcoming their early mechanical difficulties they finished leg one in first place in 4 hours, 29 minutes, 36 seconds.

So the answer to the big question of how fast will the foiling boats be in a race like this is probably still to be answered. While wind conditions were ideal for most of the race the heavy seaweed caused all the teams to constantly have to slow down and clean up their foils. This was particularly an issue with the inverted T shaped rudders on the foilers.

 

See full day one results
http://florida300.com/florida-300-news/130-florida-300-presented-by-waves-surf-shop-day-1

Track the race
http://florida300.com/tracking
mobile version
http://florida300.com/mtracking

Live video/audio feed from the starts and finishes.
http://florida300.com/live

Discuss the race at
http://www.thebeachcats.com/forums/viewforum/forum/9


Filed under: Reporting,  Beachcat Regattas |

2015 Florida 300 Presented by Waves Surf Shop

Added by DamonLinkous on May 07, 2015 - 10:53 AM

Florida 300 Presented by Waves Surf Shop

The Florida 300 is a four day open ocean endurance race sailed on high performance beach catamarans 16 to 22 feet long up the South Florida Atlantic coastline. The race is managed by Sail Series Promotions.

Next week will mark the second running of the Florida 300, starting off in Islamorada, Florida on May 13th and ultimately finishing after four grueling days of sailing at Cocoa Beach, Florida on May 16th. The last leg will start at Vero Beach and include additional competitors on the shorter 50 mile leg dubbed the "Dogfight" race .

Florida 300 CheckpointsThe Florida 300 will include last years overall winner, Key Sailing with Kirk Newkirk and Thomas Whitehurst sailing a Nacra 20 Carbon, hoping to fend off a strong field of returnees and newcomers. The competitive fleet will include a variety of catamarans in three classes F18, Nacra 20, and open class. Each class will compete among themselves for line honors and for overall winners based on the Portsmouth handicap system and overall quickest time.

In addition to the classes competing for the overall trophy, an exciting addition to the fleet this year will be two examples of the new generation of foiling beachcats, the Lupe Tortilla Flying Phantom with John Tomko and Ian Billings on board and Papa's Pilar Nacra 20 FCS (Flight Control System) with John Casey and Colin Page. These two boats will form their own "Foiling Class" and compete with each other for line honors, but too little is known about the performance characteristics of these brand new designs to assign them a fair rating to compete for the overall win.

At the Cocoa Beach finish the award ceremony for the classes and overall winner of the Florida 300 will also include the presentation of the awards for the 2014 Endurance Series. To compete for Endurance Series honors, competitors compete in four catamaran distance races, The Florida 300, Gilligan's Run, Hiram's Haul, and Steeplechase. Each day of racing in the multi day events counts toward overall series points.

Fans will be able to "watch" the race from anywhere in the world thanks to live tracking provided by Kattack tracking software. Each boats position will be transmitting in minute increments. Check the www.Florida300.com to follow all the action live.

Besides the live tracking, Damon Linkous from TheBeachcats.com will be providing on-the-scene updates, interviews, pictures, and a daily summary right from the beach. Fans will be able to get in on the action and play commentator by joining the discussion in the forum at www.TheBeachcats.com/forum. Questions posted on the forums will be relayed to the competitors.

Of course all this wouldn't be possible without the contributions of the race sponsors who supply the time, merchandise, and cash money to make it all work. Along with this years title sponsor, Waves Surf Shop, the race appreciates the support of Key Sailing, Kattack, Islander Watersports, Zhik, and Shark Bait Beach Rentals.

For more information on the Florida 300, please check out www.Florida300.com and "Like" www.Facebook.com/Florida300. For more information on Sail Series Promotions, please check out www.SailSeries.com.

See you on the beach!

Filed under: Press Release,  Beachcat Regattas |

2014 Slip to Ship Regatta Final Results

Added by DamonLinkous on Jun 19, 2014 - 10:16 AM
Here are the complete results for the 2014 Slip to Ship Regatta.

Filed under: Regatta Reviews,  Beachcat Regattas | Read more...

Key Sailing takes First Florida 300

Added by cyberspeed on Jun 04, 2014 - 12:42 PM

Awards - 26



The first running of the Florida 300 was successful with 12 boats taking the start and nine completing all four legs. There was a good mix of seasoned veterans and new talent combined with two new venues. Competition was close with seconds separating overall leaders Key Sailing from Marspeed going into the final leg. 




Filed under: Press Release,  Beachcat Regattas | Read more...

Newkirk and Whitehurst Win Inaugural Florida 300

Added by DamonLinkous on May 23, 2014 - 08:05 AM

Key Sailing Wins Florida 300 

Florida 300 2014 Results

Team Key Sailing on a Nacra Carbon 20 drove to victory over the other 20 foot carbon boat in the race, Team Marspeed by 24 minutes after four days of racing.

Congratulations to all the racers for accepting the challenge and the bar is set for everyone who thought about entering, but did not.

Below are the complete result details starting with the overall, click on Read More to view day by day results.

Results are Final

Florida 300 OVERALL

Rank

Boat

HelmName

CrewName

Class

Rating

Elapsed

Corrected

1

Key Sailing

Newkirk, Kirk

Whitehurst, Thomas

Open Class

57.9

21:13:37

1:12:39:41

2

Marspeed

Moss, Bret

Casey, John

Open Class

58

21:37:27

1:13:16:59

3

Waveyhaven

Tomeo, Charles

Dowd, Mike

F18

62.4

23:52:41

1:14:15:58

4

Royal Yellow

Sonnenklar, Jay

Lohmeyer, Steve

N20

59.3

22:51:09

1:14:32:14

5

SolarWind

Ingram, Dave

Ingram, Bob

F18

62.4

1:0:32:01

1:15:19:00

6

Team Cat Fever

Hart, Todd

Tebo, Dalton

F-18

62.4

1:0:42:34

1:15:35:54

7

Turtle Mojo

Macdonald, Dick

Herendeen, Mark

F18

62.4

1:1:09:22

1:16:18:51

8

Royal Orange

Page, Colin

Green, Evan

N20

59.3

1:0:15:19

1:16:54:10

9

SMS Racing

Steiger, H.M.

Sawyer, Chris

N20

59.3

1:1:26:48

1:18:54:42

10

Cat In The Hat

Ferber, Larry

Smith, Jackson

N20

59.3

1:2:53:34

1:21:21:01

11

Knot 2 Slow

Norvell, David

Jackson, Dustin

F18

62.4

DNF

 

11

Royal White

Greene, Terry

Runge, Chris

N20

59.3

DNF

 

Footnote: Let's here the stories from the race in the forums.

Filed under: Reporting,  Beachcat Regattas | Read more...

Set Up Day for the Inaugural Florida 300

Added by cyberspeed on May 18, 2014 - 07:38 PM
Photo Credit: Mike Shappell
Photo Credit: Mike Shappell (TMS 20)

Registration for the Florida 300 Endurance Catamaran Race is complete and 12 boats will take the start of the inaugural event. The start is at the Islander Resort, mile marker 82.1, Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL. tomorrow at 10:00 am.

Filed under: Press Release,  Beachcat Regattas | Read more...

Florida 300 May 19-May 22

Added by cyberspeed on Feb 15, 2014 - 10:08 AM
The Race will be a distance race, stopping each night at a different location encompassing a distance of approximately 300 Statute miles. There will be 4 legs to the race. The overnight locations are planned and expected to be:



May 18, 2014 - Arrive and setup, Islander Resort, mm82.1, Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL.

Race Day 1, May 19 – Islamorada, FL to Key Biscayne;

Race Day 2, May 20 – Key Biscayne to Singer Island;

Race Day 3, May 21 – Singer Island to Vero Beach, FL;

Race Day 4, May 22 – Vero Beach FL to Cocoa Beach, FL .

These are currently expected stopping locations which may change slightly based upon detailed planning currently in work. (Negotiations on going with Hotels and Cities)



If this goes well, we are certainly further considering distances 500-1000 starting next year, BUT WE MUST GET A FIRST RACE OFF THE GROUND AND SUCCESSFUL AND THIS MEANS YOU SAILING WITH US!!!!!



The last segment (Vero Beach to Cocoa Beach) will have a separate start for boats with Hobie 16 or faster portsmouth rating. Details to be published soon.



The NOR and Registration form can be found on: www.Florida300.com



Warren Green

Chuck Bargeron

Dennis Green

Craig Van Eaton

Larry Ferber

Filed under: Regatta Notices,  Beachcat Regattas |

Atlantic Coast Endurance Race

Added by cyberspeed on Feb 01, 2014 - 03:13 AM

Greetings fellow distance cat racers!

Discuss This On The Forums 

As u all may well know, we had a once strong Florida distance racing series, and a proud annual tradition of the Worrell 1000, then the Tybee 500.  Unfortunately due to a number of factors (fleet changes, participant changes), we find ourselves with an "aging" fleet of Inter 20s, Nacra 6.0s, and other spin boats without a real class camaraderie, and a very active fleet of f-18's, that holds many of the former fleet, but also many who have thought of, but not yet been inducted to true distance racing.  Finally some of our best are "distracted" with the Olympics and other life pursuits.  All this has served to weaken the overall Florida distance Racing Fleet.

But we know you are out there and interested!  All of us have spoken to many of you, and its seems it is time once again for a mighty distance spin fleet to rise from the sand and surf of yesteryear, to bring our beloved sport back to the forefront.

There are many ideas about, but we would like to keep things simple for now, and to assess TRUE INTEREST.

The proposal being floated is to pursue a 3 to 5 day, 200-300 mile multi-day Florida based distance race THIS YEAR, between late April and late May for spinnaker boats 16 feet or larger, with daggerboards and two man crews at ideally no more than 75 miles a day, over 3-5 days.  If this goes well, we are certainly further considering distances 500-1000 starting next year, BUT WE MUST GET A FIRST RACE OFF THE GROUND AND SUCCESSFUL AND THIS MEANS YOU SAILING WITH US!!!!!

After much deliberation this is distilled to choices of:

Days: 3 or 5  WILL BE EITHER/OR, NOT BOTH!
Course: Islander to Singer Island (3 day) or to Cocoa Beach (5 day):
Dates: Sunday April 27 (Islander setup) to Wed April 30(3 day) or Friday May 2(5 day).
OR May Sunday May 18 – 21 or 23.

If you are SERIOUSLY INTERESTED, and this means that short of major unseen circumstance, you will register and show up for said distance race, PLEASE SEND A POSTCARD to the following address with the following information:

Filed under: Press Release,  Beachcat Regattas | Read more...

Nacra 17 World Championships 2013 (Wednesday)

Added by DamonLinkous on Jul 24, 2013 - 04:29 PM

The Hague, Wednesday July 24 -- Today was an excellent day of racing at the Nacra 17 Worlds just off the coast of The Hague.

More Pictures Here

Yesterday the blue fleet managed to sail two races, the yellow fleet none. So in order to get five results in each fleet the yellow fleet today had to sail five races and the blue fleet three. That was a challenge for the race committee, as well for the sailors in the yellow fleet. They had to stay focused all day and race five times.

But everything went well. There was enough wind, between 15 - 17 knots, all day. The committee started race after race. So at 6.30 PM all the boats were back on the beach. Tomorrow the 65 teams out of 24 countries will be sailing three races in the Gold (top 25) and three in the Silver fleet. First start will be at 10.30 AM.

The most trying part today again was the current, which at some points was about three knots. Not many sailors are used to this kind of current and struggled to beat up against it. After five races the Dutch team Mandy Mulder and Thijs Visser are in the lead with seven points. French Billy Besson and Marie Riou are in second place, also with seven points, but in the last race they were third and Mulder/Visser first.

Difficult Current

Filed under: Press Release,  Beachcat Regattas | Read more...

Nacra 17 World Championships 2013

Added by DamonLinkous on Jul 22, 2013 - 11:57 AM

Nacra 17 World Championships 2013The practice race of the Nacra 17 Worlds today started out with superb conditions. At the start at 2 PM there was a medium sea breeze and sunny conditions. 65 Teams out of 24 countries registered for this new Olympic multihull class.


Today was only one race. Twice there was a general recall, because to many teams crossed the starting line to early. Partly because the current pushed them too much forward, partly to 'test the racing committee' as the sailors call it. At the third start the committee hoisted the black flag, which means that the teams who cross the line to early are then disqualified. Tomorrow the competition really starts, so the results of today actually don't count. That's why a lot of teams choose not to finish. Superstition tells them that a good result today will turn against them the rest of the week.


More pictures and photo credits here. 


65 teams out of 24 countries participate in the first ever Nacra 17 Worlds. Foto Thom Touw 


French Billy Beson/Marie Riou

That also counted for one of the favourites for a podium position fresh F18 World Champion Billy Beson (FRA) with his new crew Marie Riou. 'It was good racing", tells Riou. 'We were fourth the whole race, but we also didn't want to tempt fate, so we crossed the finish line at the wrong site. Most important for us is that we have fun and pleasure during the races at all week. Also results of course. We are aiming for the Olympics in Rio and going for a medal at the Worlds here. We train a lot and especially I have to learn a lot. This is my first year in a multihull, I used to do match racing. Sailing a Nacra 17 is not the same. The game is totally different, and the speed also. But I have a good skipper, who taught me a lot. We plan to sail very fast this week."


Dutch teams

The Dutch teams will be very keen to win on its home water, taking advantage of an early start of the road to Rio 2016. Renee Groeneveld and Karel Begemann had a difficult start, but caught up with the rest of the leading pack. Groeneveld: 'The speed was good and we chose some good sides with the current, because we know this water pretty well. We can handle the ever shifting sailing conditions of the coast of The Hague. Current and waves change everyday. We have good faith that we can sail pretty fast this week and compete with the top. Just like the rest of the Dutch teams. We also didn't finish today, but that's part of the game. If you win the practice race you're doomed."

Filed under: Press Release,  Beachcat Regattas | Read more...

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