2016 Texas 300 Wrap Up

Congratulations to Team Yo Baby!, Shannon Galway and Jonathan Atwood, on winning the 14th annual Great Texas Catamaran Race.  They managed to hold off second place Team Great Texas 300, Steve Piche and Juke Ball, by 4 minutes.   Yo Baby also won the F18 Class.  Fastest elapsed time was won by Team Buoy 44, Brian Lambert and Will Rottgering.  They also won the open class.

The first two legs of this year’s Great Texas were run in breezy conditions while the final two legs were conducted in lighter conditions.  The strong breeze on day 1 knocked out two teams, Sailboat Shop (broken mast) and Jack Flash (ripped main).  Fortunately, the other 8 boats were able to finish the 300 mile course.

Off the water, we had great parties in South Padre (sponsored by Silver Bullet Racing), Mustang Island (Triple Threat BBQ), Surfside (TCDYC), East Beach in Galveston (Bolivar Yacht Club) and Galveston awards banquet (Carlyle Homes).  As you can see, we kept everyone well feed during the event.

Thanks to the many, many people who help with the event!

2016 Results Summary:

Team Yo Baby, Shannon Galway and Jonathan Atwood, have won the 14th annual Great Texas! They also won the F18 class. Congratulations to Team Buoy 44, Brian Lambert and Will Rottgering, who won the Mike Worrell Memorial Trophy for faster elapsed time and also won the Open Class. Check out results at http://www.gt300.com/race_results_2016

 

Leg 4 of the Great Texas, Saturday, June 18th

Surfside to Galveston (60 miles)

 

Leg 4 was sailed in a light to moderate sea breeze out of the south west shifting to the southeast.  Team Automotive Solutions took line honors while Team Next Generation was the first F18 to finish.  The fleet stayed closely bunched together and all boats finished within 20 minutes of each other.

 

Leg 3 of the Great Texas, Friday, June 17th

Matagorda to Surfside (60 miles)

 

The wind for leg 3 of the Great Texas started as a light south breeze.  Many sailors had trouble getting through the surf, however, in the end, everyone made it on to the race course.  The conditions were light but eventually a sea breeze filled in.  Team Buoy 44 took line honors, however, Team Fire, Water, Burn corrected over them.  Overall, Team Yo Baby moved back into first while Teams Buoy 44 and Great Texas remain within striking position going into the final day.

 

Leg 2 of the Great Texas, Thursday, June 16th

Mustang Island to Matagorda (101 miles)

 

Leg 2 of the Great Texas was held in 10-15 knot southeast breeze making for an excellent spinnaker reach.  Team Buoy 44 took line honors and managed to move into first place overall.  Team Yo Baby remainded in first place in the F18 fleet and second overall.  Team Fire, Water, Burn was second to the finish and first in the F18 fleet.

Leg 1 of the Great Texas, Wednesday, June 15th
South Padre to Mustang Island (103 miles)

Leg 1 of the Great Texas was run in a good stiff 15-20 knot breeze.  Team Automotive Solutions was first to the beach followed by Team Buoy 44.  However, Teams Yo Baby and Great Texas 300 corrected over both boats.  Team Yo Baby had a 13 second lead going into leg 2.  Unfortunately, Teams Sailboat Shop and Jack Flash suffered damage and had to abandon the race.

-Steve Piche