2012 Contender Worlds

43 boats from around the world came to St. Pete Beach, Florida to race in the 2012 Contender World Championship regatta.  The SPYC crew put together a great event, both on and off the water, as the singlehanders sailed on beautiful Gulf of Mexico waters, and enjoyed the onshore amenities at their event headquarters at the Tradewinds Resort.

With the lead changing several times throughout the four days of racing, and several different competitors taking at least one bullet, competition was tight, but Italian Antonio Lambertini finished on top.  Check out this video summary of the event, including when they threw Lambertini in the pool at the end!

See the 2012 Contender Worlds photos here and results here.

Charleston Race Week 2012

Sperry Topsider Charleston Race Week delivered another great weekend of racing and fun this year.  The event, which has quickly become the largest keelboat regatta in the United States, hosted more than 250 boats on 6 race courses this year!  New this year was a cruising class with a daily pursuit race, and there were some great photo finishes.

The one design classes enjoyed three days of tight racing in Charleston Harbor, and the offshore circles saw all sorts of conditions, including an unusual combination of big swells and very light wind as a front approached. 

Participants enjoyed a rare chance to view the America's Cup as well, as it was brought in on Saturday under tight security for a presentation about the event.

With such a great organizer, top sponsors, and a perfect venue, Charleston Race Week will continue to thrive.

See the 2012 Charleston Race Week results here and the photos here.

Suncoast Race Week

Between the Suncoast Race Week fleet, the Festival of Speed cigarette boats, a few tankers, and dozens of fishermen and other recreational boaters, the space under the center three spans of the Sunshine Skyway bridge was like a revolving door this weekend. J/105 Orangutan, pictured here, was unfazed by the challenge of tacking through the narrow span with a tanker approaching during Friday's long upwind slog from Davis Island Yacht Club to Bradenton Yacht Club. The group enjoyed an easier day on Saturday. Good breeze and a nice spinnaker run brought them quickly to their second destination: St. Pete Yacht Club. On Sunday, race committee sent them around the buoys in Tampa Bay.

See the Suncoast Race Week photos here and the results here.