USMCA NEWS

NEWS

JEFF DUVAL ON 'DOC HOLIDAY' MAKES IT A THREE-PEAT IN MELBOURNE!

30 OCTOBER 2007 • Through extreme consistency Jeff Duvall and his crew aboard Doc Holiday have made it a three-peat with their win this past weekend in Melbourne, FL. Although a slightly lower turnout than expected with 10 boats, competition was tough, but through solid consistency, Duvall won the regatta not winning a single race. To prove his consistency, he had all 2's and 3's while every other boat that competed had at least 2 races with a 5th place finish or higher. Conditions were tough. Saturday it blew a puffy and oscillating 5-10 and those who were in the right puffs at the right time, made out big. Steve Kopf on Blur came out of the gate strong with two bullets on Saturday, but the conditions eventually got to him (and most everyone else for that matter.) With a solid start in the 3rd race and some good calls by tactician Brian Anderson, USMCA Southeast District Governor Collins on Desperate Measures ended up taking the 3rd race, and by the end of the day, George Haynie on Firewater turned the heat up with 2 bullets to finish the day. Going into Sunday, Duvall led the way with tight standings in the 2nd through 6th positions. Sunday was a repeat of Saturday, but with slightly stronger conditions. Due to an unfortunate rule in the sailing instructions, only one race was run on Sunday to determine the regatta winner. Steve Kopf hit the left side of the course with speed and pressure and led wire-to-wire for the final race. Congratulations to Jeff Duvall and his team who have sailed an excellent last few regattas.

The SE Championship has officially become very interesting. With only Jacksonville remaining on the schedule for 2007, mathematically there are 9 boats that will compete for the SE Circuit title and the brand new Quantum jib in Jacksonville. For you NASCAR fans out there, this is our "Chase" for the SE title. A few boats are now throwing out their worst regattas and there are a couple of boats that will sail their forth regatta in Jacksonville, any of which could take the title. Steve Kopf has taken the lead back again from Mike Krantz with his 2nd place finish in Melbourne this past weekend. In addition to the current front runners, look for some heated action in Jacksonville between Jeff Duvall and USMCA President Scott Gregory. Jacksonville will be both of their 4th SE regatta for 2007 and with throwouts Gregory is only 3 points behind Duvall. Thanks again to Quantum Sails and Scott Nixon who are sponsoring the series for 2007.

VIEW THE 2007 SOUTHEAST RANKING

A couple of other announcements for you guys. The nationals in 2008 will be held in Charleston the weekend of September 18-21, 2008. I know I'm excited to hear this and I know many others will be as well. I suspect this will be an awesome event, so I'd put it on your calendar right now so you can be sure to attend. Next, the calendar for the SE circuit for 2008 will be slightly different than past years, but I think you will all be very excited about it. As it stands right now, the dates are as follows:

2008 M24 SE Circuit Calendar
December 8-9, 2007 - Key Largo, FL (Upper Keys Sailing Club) - This is a new event you have already heard a fair amount about. They are expecting over 20 boats from all over the country. It should be a great event to kick off the new season. (Aren't you glad you can sail anytime of the year in the South?)

March 1-2, 2008 - Tampa, FL (Davis Island Yacht Club) - This is also a new event this year. Davis Island has close to 10 M24s at their club and I would also expect an excellent turnout for this event with so many other M24s in the central FL area. Storage is being arranged after St. Pete (Feb 16-17) so you can sail these excellent regattas back-to-back. They are also planning a race after St. Pete to Davis Island as a means for you to get your boat to Davis Island if you'd like to consider that as a option to get there as well. Detail will follow. It should be noted, St. pete will be a nationally ranked event, as always, but will not be on the SE circuit.

March 29-30, 2008 - Atlanta, GA (Lake Lanier Sailing Club) - Now with 12 boats at LLSC, Atlanta is an extremely active fleet. You may have heard about the water problems in Lake Lanier. If drought conditions do not improve, don't mark this off your list as it would be moved to another excellent venue. It will be a good time no matter where it may be.

April 17-20, 2008 - Charleston, SC (Charleston Yacht Club) - Charleston Race Week has grown to be one of the biggest regattas in the SE for multiple classes. A great event not to be missed. Charleston is also the home of one of the largest fleets in the SE.

October 11-12, 2008 - Pensacola, FL (Pensacola Yacht Club) - One of the best places you will ever sail and the bushwackers are awesome.

November 15-16, 2008 - Jacksonville, FL (The Florida Yacht Club) - Our premier and final SE circuit event

As always, keep sailing fast and we'll see you in Jacksonville. Let me know if you have questions.

Reid Collins, USMCA SE District Governor
Cell: (404) 259-4346