Club News


Devon Owen at the St. Petersburg YC Valentine’s Day Regatta

By Devon Owen | March 18, 2019
Regatta Facebook Page

Over the weekend of February 8th through 10th, Saint Pete's Yacht Club hosted the 2019 Valentine's Day Regatta. This regatta brings Opti and Laser sailors from all over the country. Since I was the front runner in the Luff-In Series, I was selected to represent SDYC for the Saint Pete's Exchange and go sail Opti's for the weekend down in Florida.

After a long flight with the rest of the sailors, I finally made it. The first day of the regatta we had to wake up bright and early because we had to be at the yacht club and checked in at 6:30 AM. with the first race being the first time I had ever sailed an Opti, I unsurpisingly did not do very well. The second race I did much better, it definitely helped that most of the fleet of 80 was black flagged. At least 8 races in a row were general recalls. Despite having 8 hours to race ths first day we only got 3 races in. The second day we got 2 races in with more like 5 hours to race. That was due to having an hour break between almost every race. By the end of the regatta I still hadn't quite figured out the Opti, but in the end it was a great experience.