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In today’s Snake Bytes:
WORDS FROM A PREZ
This edition we hear from Peter Ill, Regional President, North America.
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The long cold winter of COVID appears to be breaking and Vipers are back:
- We just completed a fun, busy, competitive Winter Series in Sarasota averaging 20 boats on the line.
- The Viper Class also made a surprisingly strong showing in Miami, despite some logistics challenges.
- We have a good slate of local and regional events on for this spring and summer.
- Next winter’s schedule is going to be a special combination of southern regattas (see article below).
In case you missed it, our Class photos and videos site is now up at: https://photosviper640.smugmug.com. All the Class videos can be seen at https://www.viper640.org/media/video. We will be adding more event photos to this photosharing site and we are making a real push to get photos and videos from events up same day as we go forward. Please coordinate with Brian Johansen (292brianjohansen@gmail.com) to get your event’s photos up on the site.
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Proposed 2022-23 Winter Schedule
There’s only one word for the Class’s 2022-23 regatta schedule: SAVVY
The Viper Class is in the process of creating a southern regatta schedule for next winter that includes the NAs in Gulfport this October, another 3-part Sarasota Viper Series in December, January, and February, but also includes the Mardi Gras Regatta in New Orleans in March followed by the 2023 Viper Worlds at Southern Yacht Club also in March. This will be a lot of great sailing and we all should try to participate in as much of it as possible.
One of the challenges Viper sailors have faced over past winter schedules has been the logistics of moving boats back-and-forth across various states to race. The Class is looking into a possible solution: a concierge service that will movie your boat from regatta to regatta.
More information will be shared on this service in the next few months so start thinking about letting your Viper spend next winter in warm weather…and you, too.
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Major Regattas to put on your calendar
May 13-15 – Viper ACCs, Annapolis Yacht Club – Info HERE. – 22 boats already registered!
May 28-29 – Ashbridges Bay Open, Ashbridges Yacht Club, Toronto – Info HERE.
May 28-29 – Larchmont Yacht Club’s Memorial Day Regatta – Info HERE.
June 3-5 – Southern Bay Race Week, Hampton, YC (host for 2025 NAs) – Info HERE.
June 25-26 – 2022 Women’s Viper 640 ACCs, Noroton Yacht Club – Info HERE.
July 23-24 – Boothbay Harbor YC Viper Down East Cruise and Scorch – West Boothbay, Me – This should be a hoot!!! – Info HERE.
October 15-16 – Viper 640 2022 Women’s and Youth NAs, Gulfport Yacht Club – Info HERE.
October 19-23 – Viper 640 2022 NAs, Gulfport Yacht Club – Info HERE.
March 24-26, 2023 – Viper 640 Women’s and Youth World Championship, Southern Yacht Club – Info HERE.
March 27-31, 2023 – Viper 640 World Championship, Southern Yacht Club – Info HERE.
Start working on crews, housing, and transportation needs. And don’t forget your party shoes!
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Builder’s Update
After having to shut down during much of the past two-year pandemic, Rondar Race Boats is up and running at a fevered pitch. In addition to the seven Vipers in the works (May delivery and all pre-sold), Rondar has a major order of Sonars to produce as well as their normal 5o5s and other dinghies. We’re all thrilled that Rondar came out this side of Covid in solid shape.
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The key going forward, however, is that Rondar is going to build Vipers in batches. After the seven that are currently in the works, the next production run of Vipers will be started in October for a Jan/Feb delivery timeline in anticipation of the 2023 Worlds that March. If you are thinking about a new Viper to be delivered in times for the Worlds, place your order now. In North America, contact tyler@rondarboats.comTyler Moore at Rondar USA. All other country orders should be send directly to Paul Young at Rondar in the UK.
The following erratum clarifies the Builder’s Report from the last Snake Bytes:
In the last Snake Bytes we reported on the new keel and rudder molds, stating (in error) that the plugs and molds were made of aluminum. In fact the plugs are CNC machined out of “tooling composite” by Fibrefusion in Falmouth, UK and the new rudder and keel molds are made in-house by Rondar of carbon fibre with a metalized gelcoat.
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James Baurley takes Helly Hansen San Diego title
James Baurley, Karafaye Buffa, and Craig Ramsey on #hmb claimed the top spot last weekend (3/25-27) in San Diego at the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series. 10 races over 3 days, seven bullets with 19 points. Dominant performance. Dan Milefchick finished in second with Shelly Caplan in third.
Results
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Vipers in Miami – The Bacardi Invitational 2022 title goes to Peter Ill
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Sunshine, warm weather and a strong sea breeze on Biscayne Bay welcomed a very international group of Viper sailors in Miami for the Bacardi Invitational Regatta. Add in the Bacardi hospitality and the night life in Coconut Grove and you have all the elements of a great sailing event.
We started the week with the traditional Miami Scorch, a fun race across Biscayne Bay to the Boaters Grill where we were warmly welcomed with cold beer and Cuban style seafood.
Read full report HERE.
Results HERE.
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Sarasota 2021-22 Viper Series
February Results
Again this winter, the Squadron produced a wonderful 3-part series for the Viper Class. Here are the winners of the third and final weekend as well as overall:
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Third in February and first place for the series went to Mark Zagol, Tim Desmond, and Amy Vandervelde.
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Zagol and team also won the Viper Class in the Squadron’s March One-Design regatta. Well done!
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Second place for the Winter Series went to Rachel & Peter Beardsley and Jay Rhame.
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1st place for the February Sarasota Event and third place for the Series goes to the man…. no the LEGEND that makes it all happen! Travis Yates (Sidewinder #244) and his stellar crew of Mike Meighan, Dave Hillmyer! Must have been that local knowledge that Travis is always willing to share but some of us didn’t choose to listen.
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Second place in February went to Max Plarr, Peter Ill, and Steve Sparkman.
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Recognize these Viperers?
There are many things that Justin Scott has contributed to the Viper Class over the past years, but here’s something new he’s throwing into the mix. Justin had dug-up some “vintage” photos of some current Viper sailors and is challenging you to identify them. There’s no telling how many other childhood photos Justin will dig up, but he promises to post the answers on April 7 in the Viper Forum>Viper Discussions>Blasts from the past . Here are the first two mystery sailors:
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Something about April Fools Day
In 1562, Pope Gregory VII introduced the new Gregorian Calendar for the Christian world (which is still used today), and the New Year fell on January 1.
Some people either didn’t know about the change (like sailors who don’t read NoRs or SIs) or refused to follow the new calendar and continued to celebrate the New Year on April 1. As a result, people played tricks on them and called them “April Fools.”
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Questions or comments?
Have a something to share? Have a question or comment? How about a great Viper photo? Contact Viper 640 Class Administrator Ed “Buttons” Padin at epadin@padesta.com.
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Ed Padin: Viper 640 Class Administrator, Office: 914-834-8286 Address: 18 Normandy Lane, New Rochelle, NY 10804
Viper 640 Class Association Website: www.Viper640.org Facebook Unsubscribe
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