From gt0499a@prism.gatech.edu Wed Dec 14 18:13:20 1994 Return-Path: Date: Mon, 12 Dec 1994 11:30:31 -0500 From: gt0499a@prism.gatech.edu (Harold Lee Gilreath Jr.) Content-Type: text Content-Length: 3472 Apparently-To: snipe@ai.mit.edu 1994 SNIPE WESTERN HEMISPHERES CHAMPIONSHIPS Twenty six boats from Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Japan, Uruguay, and the United States sailed a seven race series from the Yacht Club Uruguayo in Montevideo, Uruguay. Guillermo Parada from Argentina sailed very impressively to win the event. Cal Leme from Brazil was second and Luis Calabrese (current world junior champ) was third. The U.S. was humbled in a big way with the following finishes: Jack Franco/Mike Sturman 10th Henry Filter/Carol Newman 15th Hal Gilreath/Allan Carscaddon 17th Doug Clark/Alex Stout 20th Jerry Thompson/Dee Schilling 25th The racing was extremely competitive and mirrored the intensity found in the top ten of a Heinzerling fleet throughout the 26 boat fleet. There were a variety of conditions but mostly tended to be on the breezy side. The South Americans just sailed a little tougher, a little faster and a little smarter to dominate the event. It's hard to explain but the U.S. wasn't that far off the pace but it didn't take much to finish 25th instead of 1st. The fleet would finish within 1-2 minutes after a 1 1/2 hour race. The South Americans tend to push the rules to the extremene and have a different value on the integrity and honesty issue of sailing. The first day was 12-15 kts, the second 18-22 kts, the third 10-15 kts and the last day was 12-15 kts. The seas were very choppy reminiscent of Biscayne Bay but with steeper waves. The Rio de Plata is 50 miles wide and about 12-15 ft all the way across. The fleet was comprised of South American Persson's, Thor's, Rosindo's and a Jibe Tech (Doug Clark sailing one of Peter Commette's old boats). The Persson's were the boat of choice for the Argentinians and the Brazilians used Thors. Fabini was fourth using his Rosindo. Their rigs were more forward than the U.S. (21' 4") and they sailed with longer spreaders (17 1/2"- 18"/ 28-29"). They sail mostly with center cleated mainsheets and don't use the traveller. My boat didn't even have a traveller. They pull it in cleat it and hike hard. Parada was very impressive. It was obvious that his training and talent were very high. He would sail along very flat and the boat would be stable through the puffs. He would only feather a little bit and harldy ever ease the main. That takes some work in choppy seas. Those guys also use the pole on almost every downwind angle. There pole systems are heavier and stronger than the standard U.S. model. With their setup they usually sail at 315-335 and go very fast in the breeze. We couldn't hang that well in the breeze upwind (11/13 in the windiest races) with them. Henry and Carol (9/10) of the U.S. in the breeze. You have to understand that even when it gets light these guys are fast because they are excellent sailors. The crews were all guys because the typical breeze requires more crew strenght and crew weight than available with your standard model woman. I'm not making a political statement but when you sail at 320 and you'r a 160 pound guy there just aren't too many 160 women to sail with. Overall the U.S. is not far off the pace and we can do well in the lighter breezes. However, to improve our performance at this level will require a more dedicated effort than we gave for preparation for this event. Those guys work at it and are good and deserve everything they won. Bottom line is time in the boat, hard work and smart sailing will win. Hal Gilreath