2005 SunTrust Regatta

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"Celebrate the Lake" (artwork Jeff Reid)

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"Gypsy Wind"

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BYRA

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All Decked out.

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Celebrate the Lake!

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June 11, 2005

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"Sugar Magnolia"

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Blackwater River.

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"Gipper." Richard McGann.

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"Alarming"

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(click to enlarge)

2005 SunTrust Regatta

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Pelican Point Yacht Club, Union Hall. (Click on photos for larger image.)

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"Tiger Eye" finds her prey.

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Rounding the course.

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Pennants.

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Spinnaker sail.

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Jiving around committee boat.

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"Blackjack."

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Start of 2nd race.

2005 SunTrust Regatta

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On Sat. May 2nd I had an opportunity to crew for Bob Boe during the first day of the 2005 SunTrust Regatta held at Pelican Point Yacht Club in Union Hall, Virginia. Having little or no sailing experience I accepted the challenge (doubting Boe's better judgement). Boe is skipper of a 1976 Ericson 23 sailboat affectionately named "Tiger Eye."
The day was overcast with a chance of storms in the late afternoon. We raced in the "B" class for less experienced sailors. The first race (2.32 miles) went fairly well with "Tiger Eye" finishing a respectable second behind "Little Wing." (I later learned by only .27 seconds).
Feeling a little more confident with one race under my belt and a good lunch we prepared for a second race. This race (2 laps around same course) proved to be a little more difficult. The winds gusted at 20 mph making the waters more challenging. The boat reached speeds in excess of 7 knots on the downwind legs. Set up for earlier conditions we had to adjust during the race, costing precious seconds. We still finished third.
BYRA (Blackwater Yacht Racing Association) hosted the open event and SunTrust kindly sponsored. About fifteen keelboats competed in three divisions: Spinnaker, Cruising A and Cruising B. I really enjoyed my day spent with Boe and the other members of BYRA. Can't wait to get out on a boat with the friendly group again.

BYRA races every other weekend in the Spring and Fall. Boats are always looking for crewmembers. For more information about sailing on Smith Mountain Lake or BYRA, go to their web page: www.byrasailing.org.

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Bob Boe and "Tiger Eye" after race.

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Me at helm of "Tiger Eye" ("Alarming" in backgound.)

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Bob Boe-Skipper of "Tiger Eye."

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"Blunderbuss"

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A boat tacks ahead of "Tiger Eye."

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Crew members chat after race.

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"De Merit" makes pre-race preparations.