Author: Shan McAdoo

Last Friday 4 2.4 meter sailors went through a time machine. John Seepe, Tony Pocklington, Rudy Trejo and Shan McAdoo traveled to Apollo beach on the eastern edge of Tampa Bay to sail at a multi class event at the Tampa Sailing Squadron (TSS).

TSS is a throw back to a simpler time. A volunteer run organization with a simple building two hoists a floating dock, a big barbeque grill and tons of cold beer.  On the water they had Mutineers (Mutts) and Day Sailers along with us.  We sailed 5 races in a light westerly and had a great time.  2.4 Meter. Sailors familiar with Sandy Bay Yacht Club will feel right at home at TSS.

Rudy put on a clinic, winning all but one race (Read the sailing instructions next time Rudy!!).  Tony ended up second for the day, followed by Shan and John.  The class has been invited back to the March Midwinter regatta (March 8-10, 2024)

The sailing venue is lovely and very accessible. The club leadership and members are very friendly and welcoming.  Apollo Beach is a relatively undiscovered part of Tampa with lots of available Hotels and AirBnBs.

All of the 2.4 meter sailors agree that its a great “old school” venue and look forward to going back.

Last week 64 Boats competed for the International 2.4 Meter World Championship in Tampere Finland. The fleet sailed 10 races with 2 throw outs.

There were 6 North American sailors in Tampere for the event in including Jackie Gay, Tony Pocklington, Julio Reguero, John Seepe, Colin Smith and Rudy Trejo.

Here are some quick thoughts from some of the competitors:

” This was a  wonderful time. Established 125 years ago, Nasijarvi sailing club did a great job with the event. Racing, food, and the beer fridge were spot on. The sailing was very competitive throughout the fleet. I was racing a new NMKIII OD 2.4mr Charger, delivered to me at the event. The boat was fantastic, unfortunately my sailing was not. I’ll be leaving the boat here in Europe, already looking forward to the 2024 2.4mr Open World Championships in Germany. “

“ Fabulous opportunity to sail against 60 other boats.    There was a lot of fun and action with no lost time racing due to winds so everyone got 2 throughouts and 10 races.    Old sailors, young sailors, amateurs, professionals, able-bodied, and handicapped all mixed together with a ton of them really competitive but very friendly.    Water wasn’t too cold but everyone was wearing drysuits.    The area and lake were strikingly beautiful.    Club was great with lots of room for trailers, cars, and camping vans.    Great having 4 sailors from the USA Class there.     We will be attending next year’s in Kiel Germany! “

“The support and hospitality from the hosts was outstanding. Rickard, Marko and Nico with others went above and beyond in prepping boats and making repairs. Virtually all of the racing was in heavier air with a short steep chop.”

“Was a great sailing venue. Big learning curve. Always fun meeting new friends and old. Unfortunately I’m hooked and plan to be in Germany next year.”

July 9, 2023 – Rockport Mass.

Rockport Massachusetts is a beautiful place. You might not know that if you you sailed there this past weekend.  Pea Soup fog made sailing tough, but the Race Committee was able to get 6 races in over the 3 day event for the 14 competitors.

Day 1 conditions were a lovely southwester 15-20 knots challenged the 14 boat fleet. Three W/L races with a start-finish in the middle were completed.  There were three different winners. The fleet was treated to a nice Lobster Rolls for dinner.

Day 2 dawned  with pea soup fog.  After a shoreside postponement  the fleet went out for two light air races.   Both races were W/L with a start-finish in the middle with different winners. Back ashore, the fleet was treated to a a mixed grill barbecue with a lovely peach cobbler desert.

Day 3 felt like deja vu. Fog postponement again. The fleet went out and got one race in between fog banks.

Congratulations to Johan Koppernaes, Rudy Trejo and Charlie Rosenfield for their podium finishes.