NOOD Regatta - Mad Cow II (2015)

After taking two second place finishes in race 7 and 8, morale was improving and we were anxious for another race to continue our redemption after the crushing we endured on Day 2. Much to our chagrin, what we thought was the starting gun for race 9 was in fact a signal for a postponement. The race committee called over the president of WFPHRF and suspiciously the 1st place and local SPYC boat in our class to get opinions on whether to continue racing or head to the showers. Not surprisingly, the decision would be for no more racing. Back at the dock, accusations of “Home Cooking” flew, but looking at the results, another race probably would not have changed any of the standings in our class.

In order to lift our spirits, we ordered Mudslides at SPYC and were subsequently instructed that we were not to do that again during such a busy time. Feeling a little naughty we stumbled up to the tiki bar and had a few more rounds of easy-to-make drinks and several handfuls of those yummy Goldfish while we licked our wounds, told lies and plotted our next move.

Aside from the shock and bewilderment of seeing the Overall trophy of a race named the National Offshore ONE DESIGN regatta going to an all-too-local PHRF boat, there were some heart-warming moments in this year’s St. Pete NOOD. Nearly getting away with blaming someone else for the aroma emanating from my sailing boots, being offered a rum drink in a makeshift vessel constructed from a plastic juice bottle cut in half by one of our competitors, and hearing about a young foiling A-Cat sailor and prospective new DIYC member relishing in his taking down of some of the A-Cat veterans. And speaking of the A-Cat class, if they ever need to raise funds for the class, I’d like to recommend selling pin-up calendars featuring the class members. Not only are they amazing single-handed sailors, but they are all just adorable. I for one would order a dozen.