With temperatures in the mid-60’s, partly sunny skies and scattered clouds, the conditions couldn’t have been more ideal, or uncommon, for Rose City Yacht Club’s March 24th Frostbite Regatta. Twelve to eighteen knot easterly winds, with gusts up to 22 knots, made for “A great day for sailing,” said RCYC Race Captain Mike Pitarresi. “What a perfect way to start the year.”
While many boats had been sailing throughout the cold and wet winter months in CYC’s Sail on Sunday series, for many skippers and crew this was their first time racing for the season and they couldn’t have selected a better day to dust off the cobwebs. Thirty-six sailboats entered the regatta and were divided into six fleets.
“Rock Kent did a superb job of running all those courses and classes. It’s amazing he got off all those races,” commented Pitarresi. While everyone had to contend with the one knot river current, many racers also had to dodge anchored motorboats fishing for the season’s salmon. Nevertheless, everyone seemed to have a great time, with Anam Cara (J-122, Tom Kelly), Wave Dancer (NY 36, Stephen Moshofsky), Howdy (Aloha 30, Allan Weber), Kamikaze (J-24, Steve Erickson), For My Girls (Cal 20, Craig Daniels), Runaway (Merit 25, David Paligo) and Cool Change (C&C Landfall 38, Frank Noragon) taking first place in each of their respective divisions.
The race’s after-party brought participating skippers and crew together at the RCYC clubhouse to enjoy stories, strategies, friendly ribbing, and also terrific food and beverages provided by the host club. “Becky Bauer [RCYC] and her team did an outstanding job with the food. We had as many compliments on the food as we got on the races,” Pitarresi said. A fun day of sailing and socializing was had by all.
For detailed race results, click here.
To submit/view 2012 Frostbite photos on SailPDX, click here.
