Yeah, it got -so cold- down here last night (60F) we had to put blankets on the horses. Just a week ago the overnight lows were 78.

BUT, next week in Tampa it's supposed to be about 83 every day, overnight lows of about 68. The water temps are still up around 75-80.

Yeah. I can imagine the occasional huricane evacuation can also cramp your style.

Geert and I should be getting there early afternoon on Sunday. Looking forward to a bit of sunshine

Paul

Not to worry, it's only a -little- tropical depression right now, it may just go away. If we can't sail at least you will get to experience a Hurrican Party up close!

The last time we had to huricane evac. was back in 2004, how many snow storms have you had since then? November is late in the season, the gulf water temps are cooler now (80) so it shouldn't develop into much of a storm. At the peak of the season, in Sept, the water temps out in the Gulf are 92F!

I did my 30 years of -hard time- growing up in New Hampshire, I don't miss the 9 months of Winter...

And when it's not Winter, they have a special post season call Mud Month as everything thaws.

That would be two months, March and April.

Ahh, the steady but constant humm of the sump pump in the basement, endlessly sucking the snowmelt... We did have snow at Easter one year I remember only because I got a new bike but couldn't ride it in the snow! And one Halloween it snowed as well. Good times.

So will Hans have his sooper dooper G-Cat at his event?

Hey,

If anyone has pictures of the club preparing, boats being rigged, trailers arriving, rum being drunk, ... please send them over. I would like to write a report today and every day after for the website. Please keep me updated.

Update from rob and jills - spent yesterday organising the boats.. 9 boats was a fair juggling effort by everyone. Rob and Jill have been amazing, feeding and organising this huge VIPER crowd from all over the world.

About to head down and spend the day on the water, every one is welcome to come and join us.

I just hope Ida stays away!!!!

I have a running report at www.ahpc.com.au

Ok so the net connection here isn't allowing uploads so here it is.

Practice day 1 (No racing)
I think it's safe to say this side of the USA is just as far as Europe from Aus, 21 hours travel is a long time to be sitting still. We got the whole team together yesterday morning and spend the day in the front yard of Robbie and Jill's juggling 9 VIPERS. The organization and commitment of these guys is second to none and there coaching facility is unbelievable (see).
Weather conditions today where 18 knots with shifty 25 knot gusts, it looks like the will be the conditions for the rest of the week. The small water body of Gulfport keep the sea state real flat and we're hoping hurricane IDA will stay and just provide good conditions.
It's looking looking like an interesting regatta and the VIPER team is sporting some great talent so we hope they can deliver.
Stay tuned for more info and daily reports.

Brilliant practice day!!!! 15 knots, hot and two little Sprint races. The beach is a great catch up for sailors of all levels with smiles everywhere.

Paul, the PRO, has been on the money and called 5 of the VIPERS OCS in the first race... in his own words "you where about... oh... I don't know... but I could see the pin behind you all". Probably get a proper fix on it tomorrow I think.

Looking foward to the first real race tomorrow.

Competition is going to be crazy!
You got:
Robbie Daniels
Gregg Goodall
Brett Goodall
The McDonalds
John Casey
Olli Jason and Patrick
Olli and Joana
Constantine - just to name of a few of the top gunners that I know of.

From what I saw today these guys are coming into the start with NO ROOM to spare at full speed!!! I mean we hit the zero and they are right on the line. This is some serious top level competition going on.

Today a Blade went over and the skipper fell through the mainsail breaking it into shreds, hopefully they can score a replacement and be back on the water tomorrow. If I am not mistaken it was Chris Stator's boat. They capsized with maybe only six feet to spare from mast tip to our boat (pin boat).

NUTS!!! Cant wait until tomorrow.

Thanks for the update already.

How many boats will there be racing? 1-up vs 2-up?
How did the practice race go yesterday? Did everyone went on the water already?

This is the biggest event up to now for us, let's keep that coverage coming.

It has NEVER hit above 99* (f) in Tampa... but i do admit 90*water and 94* air can be "a tad bit" warm.

Yes, Brett Moss is sailing it

Just got back home. The day started out nice. overcast high 70s for air temps.
The winds were out of the south east around 12 to 15kts with five degree shifts. The top teams are:
John Casey and crew.
Robbie Daniels and crew.
Gregg Goodall and crew.

After keeping tabs on who is where the entire fleet is very steady with there positions. The mid fleet is were all the mixing up has been occurring.

Today Robbie Daniels had a pitchpole but his super crew saved the boat. Robbie was flying forward with the mainsheet around his hand and the crew scrambled aft and pulled the rudders over in order to settle the boat down. It looked like a circus act that was very well coordinated and practiced.

There was a collision out on the water. G-Cat vs Taipan. The Taipan is toast and the G-Cat seems to have survived unaffected. From beach reports it was a starboard/port tack situation. Taipan being on starboard and G-Cat being on port.

Three races in today and scores are yet to be reported. I dont have them with me and I am already at home so I cannot give out who is in what official position.

The weather is suppose to settle down the next couple of days, so we shall see what happens.

For the record the McDonalds had boat issues and missed the two first races. In the third race they were mixing it up really good with the TOP teams. They are a force to look out for.

Its going to get exciting as we move into the mid week racing.

how many taipans are or were racing?

Maybe two or three, I am not 100% sure.
Majority is Vipers, followed by Blades then the Falcons, a few Taipans and one G-Cat.

Robi, thanks for the report. does the participant list resemble that on .gulfportyachtclub.com/global%20salors.htm ? I am blind out here in New Mexico without reports like yours. Did the wind gusts develop like they were predicting yesterday...into the high 20's MPH?
Thanks, Will