Congratulations to Jennifer Bennett who won the Gold Fleet at the Dixie Sailing Club's Punch Bowl Regatta. Allen Kennedy won the Silver Fleet. The event was held the weekend of April 12 & 13 on Lake Martin, Alabama.
Link to RESULTS.
Link to FACEBOOK PICTURES.
Write up by Michael White, Rear Commodore-Dixie Sailing Club
Monday Race Report #5, 14 April 2025: The Dixie Sailing Club held their 64th Annual Punchbowl Regatta this past Weekend, Apr 12th and 13th just south of Woods Island and Peanut Point. It was a well-attended event with 17 boats entered among 4 fleets, with competitors traveling from as far as Nashville, TN and Chicago, IL.
Race committee Primary Racing Officer: - Randy McDaniel PRO assistant – Nancy McDaniel Chase Boat 1 crew: Josh Tilton, Jim Simons, Leslie Chapman Chase Boat 2 crew: Julia Heflin, Steve Phillabaum
Race Results Summary: Catalina 22 Gold 1st Bennet, Jennifer 2nd Beckman, Samuel 3rd Edmond, Bobby
Catalina 22 Silver 1st Kennedy, Allen 2nd Hodge, Chris 3rd Bloodworth, Luke
MC Scow 1st Hardy, Merry 2nd Ambrose, Steven 3rd Haire, Randall
Open Fleet 1st Berry, Tony (Flying Scot) 2nd White, Michael (U20) 3rd Connolly, Don (F28R)
The Wrap Up:
The regatta kicked off on Saturday at 10:00 am with a skippers meeting at the Dixie Sailing Club Pavilion lead by Randy McDaniel to explain the race plan and procedures to be used for the races. The Open/Handicap Fleet start sequence would be first, followed by the MC Scow Fleet, and then both Catalina 22 Fleets. Races were to be 2 laps each, and 3 races to be completed – with a 4th if time and conditions permitted.
The first race began at 11:30 with 7-9 kts of wind out of the west, and gusts to 14 kts. The fleets jockeyed for position as they attempted to project where the wind was moving across the course as midday breeze filled the course. Local knowledge proved quite valuable in balancing navigation and tactics in this first race.
The wind continued to build into the second race, 10-12 kts sustained from the West with gusts to 18 kts. The competition was intense in the second race, resulting in 2 collisions in the C22 fleets and a retirement in the MC Scow fleet. Following the second Catalina 22 Race finish, Rick Burnham and Sally Morris had to head back to shore and would not start the third race.
As the third set of races began, wind completely flooded the racecourse, remaining at 10-12 kts sustained but with gusts reaching 20 kts at the start. The pace was remarkable, notably in the Open class as all three boats left significant wakes behind them. The big F-28 Trimaran screamed ahead upwind at 12.4 kts, with the U20 and Flying Scot trading course positions at 8.5 kts as they beat upwind behind it. Many boats in all fleets experienced round ups in the heavy gusts and temporary wind shifts, most sailing right at the edge of their upwind limits - but none elected to shorten sail. The MC Scow fleet surfed their way to the finish, reaching the line just behind the Open fleet. The Catalina 22 Fleet with their big 150 genoas finished without delay behind the other two fleets. Races were concluded about 3:30 pm and the remaining 13 skippers returned to the docks to secure the boats for the night and enjoy a catered Hibachi dinner and to socialize at the club Pavilion.
On Sunday, the fourth race of the regatta began at 9:30 am with light winds of 2-4 kts, lulls of 1 kt, and rare gusts to 6 kts. Light air specialists and the wisdom of the most experienced sailors somewhat shifted the results of this race as compared to Saturday. A long slow 1 lap race was completed by each fleet. The wind had steadily declined during the first race, and after a reasonable wait for the wind to return to start a second race, the races were cancelled to conclude the regatta. Skippers packed up their boats and met at the Pavilion about 11:30 am for a warm-hearted awards ceremony. This concludes the 64th Annual Punchbowl Regatta for the Dixie Sailing Club.
See you on the Water!
Michael White, Rear Commodore-Dixie Sailing Club