F18 Americas Championship Regatta 2013
Sarasota Sailing Squadron, Sarasota, Florida
Over five days of racing from October 22-26, 56 teams competed on the waters of Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico to determine the Inaugural International F18 Class Americas Champions, and US National Champions. Sarasota served up chamber-of-commerce conditions for the regatta, with winds ranging from 5-25 knots allowing the world class race committee to run 17 demanding races. With international competitors from the Netherlands and Argentina adding to one of the strongest North American fleets ever assembled, the racing was extremely tight throughout the event. In the end, it was the Ronstan Rocket of Mike Easton and Tripp Burd that took home the overall honors as Americas and US National Champions. Please see the links below for full results, event photos, and daily videos. Over the coming weeks the USF18 class will be highlighting stories from competitors throughout the fleet who competed in this historic regatta.
The USF18 Class Association and all of our sailors would like extend a tremendous thank you to the Sarasota Sailing Squadron, the regatta volunteers, race committee, international jury, and especially regatta organizer Deb St. James. Without the tireless efforts of all the people involved in putting on this event, it would not have been nearly the incredible event it was. Thank you!!
Summary of Results:
Juniors Division (Skipper and Crew 23 years old or younger)
1. Taylor Reiss/Matthew Whitehead 66 pts
2. Ravi Parent/Sam Armington 80 pts
3. Eric Lawrence/David Hein 375 pts
Masters Division (Skipper and Crew combined age of 85+)
1. Robbie Daniel/Enrique Rodriguez 113 pts
2. Sandra Tartaglino/Eric Shafer 172 pts
3. Annie Gardner/Eric Witte 207 pts
Overall Winners
1. Mike Easton/Tripp Burd 41 pts
2. Gunner Larsen/Ferdinand van West 45 pts
3. Taylor Reiss/Matthew Whitehead 66 pts
4. Ravi Parent/Sam Armington 80 pts
5. Cruz Gonzalez-Smith/Mariano Heiser 81 pts
2013 US National F18 Championship
1. Mike Easton/Tripp Burd 41 pts
2. Taylor Reiss/Matthew Whitehead 66 pts
3. Ravi Parent/Sam Armington 80 pts
4. Bob Merrick/Tyler Burd
5. Todd Riccardi/Dalton Tebo
Daily Videos from Sam Greenfield
Photos courtesy of Deb St. James and the Sarasota Sailing Squadron