Calema Midwinters February 28-March 2, 2014

This was my second time participating in this event. It would be my 3rd time if it had not been for a snow storm in Ottawa the day Denis Dagenais and I were to fly to Orlando, Florida in 2013. Flights were not landing nor departing from Ottawa so we never left on time. Denis ended up cancelling his trip and I was able to leave on Saturday morning to spend the week in Ormond Beach, as per the original plan (after the racing).

So we are giving it another try in 2014!

The sun was shining the day we left for Florida! We had a good flight to Orlando and made it to our hotel later than anticipated because we took a wrong turn… but we did not get lost!

Thursday, February 27

This was a day to get our charter equipment, rig and go sailing to practise a bit. In the morning, we did some shopping then went to Calema (event site) around lunchtime. We prepared everything then went on the water for about one hour. This time, I did not bother to install an outhaul system. I just brought my Easy Uphaul so that made my preparations much easier. It was cloudy and cold enough to wear my shorty with a long sleeve lycra underneath. 

Our equipment and a view of the site after our practice.

Friday, February 28 – First day of the regatta

First races started at 10 a.m. It was a bit chilly but manageable. We did two races before lunch and two more after lunch. I did three out of four as the wind had picked up too much for me. However, I was happy to have done the third one in the higher wind but had nothing left in my hands to do another one. A manatee swam right by me on my way back to the beach... boy that was scary. It is a big animal! The Kona fleet had 27 participants, the biggest fleet this year. Today I finished,  20^th, 22^nd and 19^th. It seems I did better in the higher wind!

Saturday, March 1^st – Second day

First races tentative start at 9 a.m. so we got up real early, too early for being on vacation! But it was worth it. It had warmed up and the sun was shining. No need for neoprene today! We had a surprise visit of a dolphin going back and forth in front of the beach! The wind did not come up until later and we had our first race around 11:45 a.m. The race committee also had to rearrange the course a few times because the wind kept shifting. Again, we did two races before lunch and two after lunch. I did the first two but stayed on the beach with my grand master companions (John Darling and Chris Hope), as the wind was too strong. I finished 21^st and 22^nd for the two races I did. At night, we had a nice dinner at the Radisson hotel followed by the viewing of the movie Children of the Wind featuring freestyle stars from Bonaire, and Nevin Sayre, Charles Dasher and Tinho Dornellas who were present for the viewing. 

The dolphin!

Sunday, March 2^nd – Third day

The sun was shining and it was warm early in the morning… but the wind was not strong enough to run even a good Kona race before lunch. After lunch, we did two light wind races. Three dolphins were also sailing with us! I finish 16^th and 19^th. There were only two women registered in the Kona fleet, Andrée Gauthier and myself. So that means I got a second place and a lovely wooden plaque! Overall I finished 22^nd and Denis 14^th. Oh and Denis also won the impromptu freestyle contest!

1313 was my closest opponent all weekend.

Andrée and I on the podium!

Denis sailing with back to the sail.

Denis doing the rail ride!

All the Canadians that participated in the regatta!

Six Canadians: Olivia, Robert, Denis, Andrée, Bob & Suzanne.
Last six pictures taken by Dominique Vallée.