PENSACOLA - Debbie Grimm and crew (below) sailed her J/30, HOT CHOCOLATE, to an undefeated victory at the Gulf Yachting Association Women's PHRF Championship, hosted by Pensacola Yacht Club. RESULTS | Photos by George Hero
Race reports courtesy of Ashley Sukalski, FWYC/NOYC
Sunday, June 30
Today saw a competing northerly and sea breeze (thanks to some interesting squall lines that fortunately skirted the fleet, but messed up our wind). GYA Past Commodore John Matthews attempted to run the first race as a W 2.5, which would have made the three races in this regatta in three different course configurations. That's pretty cool to put that much work into a six boat regatta, so thanks John!
Hot Chocolate worked the current and a few important shifts today to get their third bullet of the regatta, and obviously first overall. We are so happy for them, their attitudes on and off the water were fantastic, and we appreciate the time and effort it took for both Team Hot Chocolate and Team Bruja to get the boats over here, get the teams over here, and sail well.
As neither a SYC member nor a resident of Louisiana, I would like to say thanks for reading these, and y'all should be VERY proud of these ladies. AND if I missed any more thank you's, it's because I don't know who to thank on your team. (I sailed for FWYC)
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Team Hot Chocolate:
Debby 'Grins' Grimm: Skipper
Kaylor Grimm, SYC and recent Harbor Mice graduate
Ellen Arotopeus, NOYC
Janice Griglack, SYC
Kate Healey, SYC
Mamsie Manard, SYC
Forrest Richards, SYC
Kiki Smith, SYC
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Team Bruja:
Elaine Boos: Skipper, and 2012 GYA Women's PHRF Champs Winner
Lynn Gilldersleeve, PCYC (thanks for representing Mississippi!)
Julie Byslma
Cherrie Felder, SYC
Margie Offan, SYC
Denise Avelina
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Saturday, June 29
Saturday racing over in Pensacola saw a few morning squalls, but a SW breeze settled with a bit of velocity but not too much. Interestingly enough, we did a W2 and an Olympic, which I haven't done in PHRF since an LPRC several years ago! Too fun! The SYC team of Debbie and Mamsie on J/30 Hot Chocolate did a fantastic job and ended the day with two bullets and some fine dining in downtown Pensacola. The Bruja team skippered by Elaine Boos had some good moments and are currently tied for fourth. Tomorrow is forecast to be anywhere between 8 and 20 knots which means nobody knows what the seabreeze will do, so I'll have an update tomorrow after awards. I just wanted say thanks for allowing Bruja to come sail - the SYC (and NOYC) ladies are fun to have over here, and I saw some great pics from George Hero (he spilled my bushwacker so I'm not quite happy with him right now), but it's been a fun regatta. Congratulate the ladies when they make it home!