Prodigy Class Association
A scoring error was discovered in the Suncoast Classic results. The results posted on this website have been corrected. This does not affect the division champions, but the overall champion in the entire fleet is actually Randy Rhodes. He therefore takes over from Sean Hawes as the reigning fleet champion. Congratulations, Randy! Sean has vowed to embark on a conditioning program this winter and come back strong in the 2004 season.
North American Prodigy Class Fleet Champion Randy Rhodes. Photo by Nat Siddall
Prodigy Class North American Championship
The Suncoast Classic, St Petersburg, FL, November 1-2, 2003
Click here for complete overall results
Click here for results by division
An almost perfect start: Al Simmons claims the favored spot, with US128, Sean Hawes, just behind him. Susan Simmons, S, and others behind her, were trying to sneak into the right end of the line at the last moment, but it didn't work this time.
The second annual Prodigy Class North American Championship took place in near perfect conditions on Tampa Bay. It was warm and sunny, and the wind was moderate and gusty. Racing took place in front of the Holiday Inn Sunspree, just north of the Sunshine Skyway. Most of the competitors stayed there, and kept their gear rigged on the lawn. The event was hosted by Fleet 12 of Tampa Bay, and Watersports West, and the lead sponsors were North Sports/Mistral, and Harper Realty. Thanks to all the volunteers!
In most of the races centerboards were required for the upwind legs, and after that you looked for gusts, hoping to get on a plane, pull the mast back and gain a lot of ground quickly. Darby Marriot conducted the experiment of trying to plane upwind without his centerboard, which was sort of like choosing the short path in a game of snakes and ladders: He'd go shooting ahead on a plane, with his smooth technique, but then he'd fall into a hole, and the rest of the fleet would plod along and catch up with him.
Starting was an interesting challenge in the strong ebb tides that swept us downwind. It was very difficult to hold a spot on the line, so most competitors stayed back 'til the last minute. The upside of this was no general recalls.
At the end of the weekend, last year's champion Sean Hawes won by just one point to retain his title. He faced a strong challenge from Big Winds instructor and former IMCO sailor Randy Rhodes. Al and Susan Simmons made a good showing as usual, taking the top spot in Senior and Women's divisions. And US Windsurfing Junior Formula Team member Mark Boersma, sailing Prodigy for the first time, did extremely well, with a 5th place overall.
Top three in the Women's division. L to R: Theresa Tuthill, 3rd; Susan Simmons, 1st; Barbara Fisher, 2nd. Behind is Al Simmons. (Note the picture on the trophy bears a strong resemblance to Al...) Photo by Nat Siddall
Charter boards were provided by North Sports/Mistral. The manufacturer's rep, Jim DeSilva, brought some down from Rhode Island, and the rest over from the Banana River Windsurfing Resort in Cocoa Beach. By the way, if you want info about charters, about buying a charter board, or about purchasing Prodigys for your club or school, contact Jim at jdesilv@attglobal.net or 781 424 5351.
Jim DeSilva broke his ankle two weeks ago, which kept him off the water, but didn't stop him from providing charter boards for competitors who flew in from California, Colorado, Wisconsin and all over the country.