2011 BUD LIGHT REGATTA

This past weekend the annual Bud Light Regatta was held in the Gulf of Mexico right off Keewaydin Island. Seventeen sailboats competed in five different classes from spinnaker equipped boats with large numbers of crewmen to a boat with its skipper and a crew of one dog.

Saturday began with very light air, but later the breeze filled in and provided great sailing. The race is hosted and organized by SAMI (Sailing Association of Marco Island ) and

is sponsored by Coastal Beverages (Bud Light). The PRO (Principal Race Official) for the event was Dave Dumas who is also vice commodore of SAMI. The many details of organizing and setting up the race were handled by Fleet Captain John Harkless.

The winners after two days of racing and the application of handicaps were as follows:

Spinnaker A Class (fast boats with low handicaps and the large parachute shape sails)

1st – MARIA owned by Joe Bonness

2nd – TIPPECANOE

owned by Dan Kendrick

Spinnaker B Class

1st – T-BONE owner Jason Richards

2nd – SHOCK owner David Huntington

3rd – FOREIGN EXCHANGE owner Gunar Rogat

Non-Spinnaker Class (fast boats with no Spinnaker)

1st – ZOEY owner Dan Kerckhoff and the dog “Alastar”

Multi Hull Class

1st – TRI-POWER owned by Ed Dixon

2nd – AQUILA owned by Paul Perisho

3rd – BLITZEN TOO owned by Don Feiner

True Cruising Class

1st – SABOUTIME owner John Harkless

2nd – JABU owner W. T. Good

3rd – BLOWN AWAY owner Jerry Watkins

“Over All Winner” Joe Bonness in MARIA

The Awards Banquet was held Sunday evening at the Rose History Hall at the Marco Island Historical Society and was catered by Cracklin Jack’s. A good time was had by all!

Funds generated in the running of this race series go to benefit The Civil Air Patrol and The MICKYS Program (Marco Island City Kids Youth Sailing).

For information on SAMI races, cruises and events call membership chair Sheri Heard at 389-8773, Commodore Barbara Fleischer at 642-3437, or visit samisailor.com.