|
|
|
Magnificent Marco
Note: Except for the first and last picture, click on image for a bigger shot
The first annual Mid Winters National RC Laser regatta was held on 12-14 March, at the home of the Marco Island Model Yacht Club, Florida.
Magnificent was a word used often. I have never seen a better show than was put on by the Marco Island gang - their first time to host a national level event. The Commodore of the club is George Domenech, and he is a promoter! Not only did he start the club and promote it, but he convinced the RC Laser Class Secretary to give his rather new club a shot at this regatta. 
Marco Island is a plush, primarily retirement age, community, as far south on the West coast of Florida as you can go. The sailing venue is a beautiful lake situated in the center of the island with gently sloping shores, palm fron covered cabanas, and a brand new floating launch-and-retrieve dock. The club has gained permission to use this city park, and its lake, for their home. In so doing, they are able to place permanent markers in the lake and sail on it without interference from fishermen nor other boaters.
For those of us that that came to compete from far off northern climes (Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Colorad0), the weather was a very appealing aspect of the regatta. We enjoyed three terrific days with breezes raging from 5-15 knots, blowing pretty much from the same direction, and beautiful sunny warm days. Suntan lotion was definitely in prominent use by the visitors.
The local crew was another magnificent on the list. With dispositions as sunny and bright as the weather, they made all of us feel welcome ~ from donuts and coffee in the morning, deluxe box lunches served lakeside, and evenings not soon to be forgotten. 
The Saturday night party was one I will not soon forget. Many of the spouses of those competing pitched in to produce a buffet of food that you could not buy anywhere. It was served outside under the stars on the pool deck. A friend did the cooking on the grill that included terrific sausage hor'deourves followed by the best rib eye steaks I have seen in a long time. We enjoyed side dishes like rum basted bean salad (out of this world), a caesar salad better than any you have ever tasted - garlic bread right out of the oven, and a mushroom dish too difficult to describe - drool. Drink, who me?? Whatever you want from George's Rum to several kinds of beer. And like we hadn't indulged enough, there came a parade of home made desserts - flan, pineapple cake, and a cream filled puff the likes of which I had never tasted.
Well, you get the point. RC Laser regattas are fast becoming known for their social side. We evaluate the level of social functions at the regatta on the same level with the actual sailing activities.
The race committee did a marvelous job of putting on their first major regatta. 20 entries was a great turn out - with 8 from out of state. The racing program was enhanced by the use of the Odds & Evens format and all races went off without a hitch. The marks were very well constructed with deep poles and stable flat floating platforms that kept us from hooking the anchor lines. Our PRO did a terrific job of calling the starts and finishes and settling many of sailing goofs.  So what do you get when you put together a perfect venue, terrific weather, fabulous hosts, magnificent social events??? You get a great opportunity to meet and greet old and new friends, and to finish the regatta with the knowledge that everyone competed fairly and evenly, and enjoyed even their failures on the course. For Magnificent Marco, it is just the beginning. The local club is growing rapidly, led by one of those special people that knows how to get things done and have everyone involved smiling through it all. And those of us that sailed there will be back to any regatta they host in the future, already asking the dates of the next Mid Winter regatta. |