Local Sailors win in Race to Mexico!

Several local sailors faired very well in the 2010 Regata del Sol al Sol organized by St. Petersburg Yacht Club.  Full results are here.

Local sailmaker and SSS Regatta Director Gregg Knighton was aboard Blaise Pierson’s Midnight Sun, a Hunter 37.  They finished first in  non-spin class and 3rd overall.  Blaise has sailed in many long distance races and has won his class in previous St. Pete to Mexico races.  His Cheribeini Hunter was built in the early 80′s and is still competitive.  Blaise is a longtime member of the Bradenton YC and he frequently competes in the Tampa and Sarasota Bay race events.

SSS member Danny Wiedenhoft Jr. sailed on Sweet Melissa, a Hunter 49 skippered by Chris Catolino, which  finished first in True Cruising A and 2nd overall.  Chris is a member of Bradenton Yacht Club.

In Racer/Cruiser Division, Pat Roberts was first in Spring Fever, a Catalina 34.  Pat frequently sails in SSS events and is a member of the Cortez Yacht Club.  This is the first time he has entered in the race to Mexico.

Danny reports from Mexico “Many other local sailors are here and we are trying our hardest to drink all the rum on the island.  The weather here is going to be nasty for the next couple days so we will be staying till Monday.  We currently have 36 knots across the deck.  Seas are 10-14 ft right off the beach.”