Sarasota weather came through in epic fashion for the final stop of the Ocean One Yacht Tenders Sarasota Viper Winter Series hosted by the Sarasota Sailing Squadron.
With four races on Saturday in a warm and sunny 10-15kt southerly, then four more on Sunday in a warm, sunny and sporty 15-22kt, the 24 teams competing were treated to some of the best winter sailing available.
The battle for the top of the podium for the 3rd series event was a hard fought one between Zeke Horowitz’s team on Moxie and Brad Boston and Lee Shucker’s Jackpot crew. The Moxie crew took the event win by one critical point over Team Jackpot with local the Sarasota team on Travis Yates and Mike Meighan’s Sidewinder taking the final spot on the podium for the event.
Zeke sailed with his normal crew of Brendan Healey and Ian Coleman with Jake Doyle stepping in for Ian this past weekend.
For the 2017-2018 Sarasota Viper Winter Series overall championship it was even closer with Zeke Horowitz and Brad Boston ended the series tied on points. Zeke and the Moxie crew won the tie breaker and took home the series trophy for a third year running! The overall series podium was filled out by Team Great Scott (Jay Rhame/Peter Beardsley) in third overall, Team Sidewinder (Travis Yates/Mike Meighan) and Team Merica (Kleinschrodt Family).
Twenty-nine teams participated in 2017-2018 Ocean One Yacht Tenders Sarasota Viper Winter Series, which in the five years it has run has grown to become a mainstay on the U.S. east coast Viper winter calendar. The mix of warm breeze, a great group of sailors, a vibrant and fun city, and an amazing host club in the Sarasota Sailing Squadron, make it a great place to sail in December, January and February. If you have not yet enjoyed racing in Sarasota you have one more opportunity this winter as the Sarasota Sailing Squadron plays temporary host to the Viper Class’ Winter Cup March 16-18th. If you can’t make March 2018 then lock you and your crew in for the 2018-2019 Sarasota Viper Winter Series.
Submitted by Travis Yates
