New face atop podium

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NEW FACE ATOP PODIUM


Stefaans Viloen (OR) is the 2009 Cabrinha Race Series Champion. He was closely followed by Geoff Headington (Ozone), Chip Wasson (Ozone), Jeff Kafka (Cabrinha) and Eric Due (Cabrinha)


It all came down to the final night. Wind was blowing 13-18 at Anita (inside) and 17-23 at TI (outside) so the racers rigged 11-14s. It had been a little windier the previous two days with the Crissy aficionados indicating that although windy, it quickly died about 6pm and today looked like it was setting up for a repeat. The course was set up with a longer than usual up and down wind legs, and the experts were correct, the wind died right after the first and only race.


Let’s set things up for everyone; If no race had been run this evening, Chip Wasson takes the crown with Geoff Headington, whose had previous trips to the podium in the second spot and Jeff Kafka, the 2007 Champion third. However, Wasson and Kafka were still in Fiji, which meant they could do no better than third and fourth respectively. The top spot was then up for grabs between Stefaans and Headington…whoever came out on top for the evening would be the 2009 Champ.


Additionally the 5th spot would be hotly contested between Rob Kindt (Ozone) and Eric Due (Cabrinha) with Rob having a slight advantage going into the evening. Spots 7,8, 9 and 10 were also up for grabs. Yes, there was fierce competition all over the race course.


Twenty –Six racers hit the start line for the twelfth and final night of the 2009 season. Mike Gebhardt took the early lead along with Frank Wittke and Stefaans. All missed the lay line to the windward mark, and when all was said and done, it was still Gebhardt and Wittke. Gebhardt took the inside line as did Frank, although Frank kited into a whole and had to change course and go outside. At his point Gebhardt had a comfortable lead. Headinton and Stefaans rounded the windward mark within shouting distance and both took the outside line…they basically raced stroke for stroke on the downwind leg with Stefaans ever so slowly making up ground on Headington. At the leeward mark it was Gebhardt, and Headington over Stefaans by about 5 secs. At the finish it was Gebhardt with the win, but Stefaans had passed Headindton on the windward leg making up the 5 secs and then some to take second for the evening, but more importantly beat Headington for the night and captured the overall championship. Eric Due had his best race of the season capturing fourth for the evening and edging out Kindt for the seasons fifth spot.



The FREE awards party for ALL participants, friends, and family be October 23, at the St. Francis Yacht Club. In addition to awards for the top three, top ten, masters and grandmaster, a drawing will be held to present a special award to one lucky race participant (excluding the podium winners)…must be present to win. This award will be announced Sunday October 18.



I would like to say THANK YOU to all the riders who participated, the sponsors; Cabrinha, Ozone Travel, and Adventure Sports Miami, and our hosts, the St. Francis Yacht Club.