November 7, 2009 42 boats registered in the PHRF fleet this year, however weather and conditions prevented several from leaving the dock. Broken ribs earlier in the week prevented one skipper from racing, not being able to get off the dock kept another from getting out.  Wind over 25 knots and a low tide caused the 12 mile course to be run in the Bay, rather than the Gulf. Winning SYC sailors included Jay Meyer in Racing Cruising, Ron Greenburg in Cruising B, Henry Mason in Pocket Cruiser and Charlie Clifton in Spinnaker. One of our sponsors raced, placing 2nd in Non Spinnaker, Paul McDill of Custom Air. Several boats did not finish due to breakdowns caused by the high winds. But the sailors who finished were exuberant, especially the multihull boats who screamed around the course.   A few twists were added to our annual Invitational Regatta this year! Dinghy races were part of the regatta, also planned for the Gulf, but moved to the bay because of the weather. Over 40 were registered and again some sailors stayed onshore rather than risk breakdowns. They got in 6 races. David Livingston and Linda Featherstone of the SYSP were the event chairs.     The Make A Mark Celebration held Friday night was a huge success. It featured 3 Opti races brilliantly illuminated by large spot lights, and skippered by an assortment of teenagers and adults, including costumed sailors Don Payzant, Will Ramhofer and Mark Famiglietti as feisty pirates and The Wellness Community’s Julia McClung in a hot pink wig, tiara and boa!  An intriguing “anything goes” set of rules was in place. Chris Stocke skulled his boat to first place and Charlie Clifton managed to get out of the grip of Michele Lee and finished 2nd. Over 30 people sailed in two heats. How Don Payzant managed to tack with his infamous oversized pirate hat on escapes me. Co-chair Charlie Ann Syprett and her cheerleaders cheered the racers on with pom poms. They created quite a stir when YSP Director David Livingston carried them in his official race boat alongside the racers.   On land, the tents were mightily decked out both nights thanks to Co-Chair Ann Stocke and the SYC staff.  She and Commodore Kay Goodman offered the partygoers an abundant and delicious lite bite buffet.  The added tent became the place to be where partygoers bid on an array of silent auction items, sipped daiquiris from the Daiquiri Deck and danced to the always fabulous Jam Band.     Because of the flawless organization of Fleet Captain Lee Goodman and his wife Courtney, and the generosity of many of the Club’s Ring of Power Captains, over 100 people were able to enjoy Saturday’s races on the water.  A special thanks to Captains Don Payzant, Dick Gravino and Jim Syprett who treated over 50 cancer patients and their caregivers from the Wellness Community to an afternoon on the water. They were enthralled listening to T2P Production’s own Tucker Thompson, commentator for the last two America’s Cup races, who was invited to broadcast the action.  Announcing live from Co-Chair Brenda Ruth’s boat and using additional information provided by the racers, he thrilled the spectators with his up to the second coverage of the race. His excitement at the finish of the first two multihulls was contagious and you could hear the cheers from the ring of power boats.  Commodore Kay Goodman cheered, “It was the best Ring of Power ever!”     The Awards Banquet Saturday night was attended by a large crowd of mostly happy sailors and spectators and the trophies were presented by Commodore Kay Goodman and Vice Commodore Jeff Birnbach.      The best part is that not only did everyone enjoy the best regatta ever, but because of the generous support of our sponsors and club members, the SYC Charitable Foundation will be able to make significant contributions to our benefiting charities, the Wellness Community and the Sarasota Youth Sailing Program.   Many thanks to staff, sponsors and the many volunteers who made this regatta a success. And huge thanks to our co-chairs, Brenda Ruth, (Queen of Excel) and Ann Stocke who worked tirelessly to make it the best regatta ever!!   Cindy Clifton and Charlie Ann Syprett, SYC Regatta Co-Chairmen