The February 10/11th third stop of the Sarasota Viper Winter Series saw intense competition and impressive performances from the participating teams. Crazyhorse Mongoose, sailed by the Fanberg family team of Zak, Connor, and Anders, emerged as the overall winners. Team Robot Flamingo secured second place and Glory Days rounded out the podium with a strong showing that saw them never finish out of the top five in the 8-race event.
Zak Fanberg winning the SSS March ’24 edition with his sons Anders and Connor.
Sarasota continued to produce the goods in terms of winter sailing weather in Florida with a third weekend of ideal conditions for the Viper Fleet, with sunny skies and temperatures reaching 80 degrees both days. Saturday’s five races were sailed a southerly breeze of 12-16 knots, while Sunday’s three races offered full planning conditions for the 20-boat fleet with the breeze topping out with gusts touching 20kts.
The Sarasota Viper Winter Series, hosted by the Sarasota Sailing Squadron in conjunction with Sail22 and event co-PROs Keven Eiber and Ed Fury, scored 24 races in six amazing days on the water for the three event 2023-24 Series. The overall winner of the three-event series was the crew on Robot Flamingo (Jimmy Praley, Austin Powers, Max Vinocur, and Mitch Powell). The runners up in the overall series were Jay Rhame, Peter Beardsley, Rachel Beardsley and Rachel Rhame onboard Glory Days. The Fanberg clan on Crazyhorse Mongoose brought home third place overall for the winter series, with Team Sidewinder Travis Yates, Dave Hillmyer, Jordan Wiggins and Amanda Plewes finished the series in fourth place with Mike Deyett’s on Team Prestige Worldwide rounding out the Winter Series podium.
Team Robot Flamingo – Mitch Powell, Austin Powers, Max Vincour – Owner/Skipper Jimmy Praley didn’t sail March.
Series second place and March third place winners Jay Rhame, Rachel Rhame, and Peter Beardsley. Rachel Beardsley did not sail March.
Series third and March winners Andres, Zak, and Conner Fanberg. “There’s nothing like sailing with your kids!”
Series fourth place – Travis Yates (Event Chair), Amanda Plewes, and Dave Hillmyer. Jordan Wiggins did not sail March,
Series fifth place – Anders Hudson, Mike Deyett, Tucker Deyett. Tucker’s twin Kai sailed the January event.
Event organizer Travis Yates want to extend a special thanks to the Sarasota Sailing Squadron staff, Board, and membership for the opportunity to host the 10th running of the Sarasota Viper Winter Series at SSS. Huge thanks also go to the amazing volunteers that offer their valuable time, skills, and private vessels to help support the event.
Photos: Robert Col
