|
Results | Scratch Sheet
Marcus Eagan, with father, Marc, and brother, Andrew, sailed their Melges 20 (left) to overall victory.
Nineteen boats entered this year's SYC summer classic, the Race to the Coast. Under the able guidance of Tootie Barnett and crew, PATROL II arrived on station some twelve miles northeast of SYC to begin starting the racers at 0800.
A gentle, but steady northerly greeted the starters, who could fetch the first obstacle in this unique event, the Highway 11 drawbridge. The friendly bridge tender was happy to accommodate the sailors, opening the draw upon the arrival of each yacht.
The fleet then passed through the Interstate 10 "Twin Spans" and got a close-up look at the ongoing demolition of the old spans damaged by Hurricane Katrina. After skirting the Middle Ground shallows, the Highway 90 bridge welcomed the fleet into The Rigolets. It was in this venerable cataract that most of the fleet endured a frustrating calm as the southerly seabreeze pushed back the dying northerly.
But one final test awaited the fleet before finding open water. A parade of no less than three consecutive trains held up the fleet for nearly an hour at the CSX Rigolets bridge. Once the bridge swung open, the race was on again with a dozen boats vying for room to transit the bridge together.
It was here, in Lake Borgne, that the second distinct portion of this race began. After a short beat into the lake, the fleet turned eastward, through St. Joe Pass, to leave Grassy Isle, the last mark of the course, to starboard.
Upon entering the Mississippi Sound, there was a strategic decision to be made. There are at least three possible courses to navigate through the oyster shoals of Merrill Coquille and Square Handkerchief. The wind angle, tides and a skipper's confidence in his navigator play into this decision. The seabreeze remained consistent and most boats were able to carry a spinnaker on a close reach across the Sound to the finish at Gulfport.
Andrew, Marc & Marcus Eagan
First in Class A & First Overall
with the Bugs Avegno Trophy
|
William Sargent, First in Non-Spin.
flanked by Commos. Wilson & LeBlanc
|
The entire fleet finished the race between about 6p and 8p. The Gulfport Yacht Club bar was quickly occupied by thirsty sailors exchanging stories of the day. SYC Commodore Dwight LeBlanc and Rear Commo. Merlin Wilson handled the prizegiving. Anthony Hudson bested the competition in Class A aboard the Antrim 27, ANEMONE. William Sargent's LOBLOLLY was the first Non-Spinnaker boat to reach the finish line, which earned him a silver cup in his first-ever Race to the Coast. Marcus Eagan piloted his Melges 20 to Class B and Overall victory. It was a family affair for Marcus, as the crew was his brother, Andrew, and their father, Marc. The Eagans also won the Bugs Avegno memorial trophy.
|
