2026 Viper Winter Series #3
Sarasota Sailing Squadron hosted the third event of the Viper Winter Series, drawing a competitive fleet and offering a mix of moderate breeze on Saturday and light, unstable conditions on Sunday. I joined Nick and Tobias for the weekend, continuing my week of winter sailing in Florida.
Saturday
The team rigged and launched early, sailing through the narrow channel and across Sarasota Bay to the course. Wind in the mid‑teens required de‑powering upwind, and I sailed in my cool weather ILCA gear – hiking pants, spray top and spray pants – which proved appropriate for the conditions. My position was the middle of the boat, responsible for hiking upwind, flying the spinnaker downwind, and in the later races I trimmed the main to keep the boat balanced through the chop.
Race 1 started with a bit of chaos. Another boat boxed us out at the committee boat, stalled and bumped into us. We had to shove them past just to get going, already a few lengths behind the fleet. The first beat was all about figuring out the boat and the conditions, and while clear air was hard to come by, we managed to pick off one boat by the finish.
In Race 2, the setup was better, but the short starting line and limited space made timing difficult, and we again started behind the group. Boat speed improved noticeably, especially downwind as we worked on linking waves and maintaining pressure. We finished ahead of two boats.
Race 3 produced the strongest performance of the day. A clean start allowed us to hold position with the fleet up the first beat, rounding the top mark in the mid‑fleet range. Despite losing a couple of positions later, we finished 8th and showed clear progress.
For Race 4, Nick offered me the helm. Approaching the line, I arrived slightly early and could not shed speed in time, resulting in an over‑early call and a return to restart. Shortly after, as the breeze built, I attempted to hike and discovered too late that my foot was under the bungee rather than the strap. I went overboard, breaking the tiller extension in the process. With the extension damaged and proper trim no longer possible, we knew our day was over. While Nick and Tobias got the boat back under control, I climbed aboard a nearby RIB and transferred back onto the viper for the sail in.
Post‑race, we attended the debrief, secured a loaner tiller extension for Sunday, and wrapped up the day grilling dinner at our Airbnb and doing some film study of our sailing.
Sunday
With the boat already in the water, Sunday’s rigging was straightforward. The forecast called for light wind that would fade by midday, with a possible late sea breeze. After a brief postponement, the race committee started one race in marginal but sailable conditions.
A solid start and a few early ducks positioned us on the side of the course we wanted, and clear air helped us round the first mark in 5th. As the race continued, some of the faster boats advanced, and the patchy pressure created opportunities and losses across the fleet. We finished 8th.
As the final boats finished, the wind shut off entirely. With Tobias needing to catch a flight and a long drive ahead for me, we had already agreed that any postponement would end our day. We sailed in while the fleet remained on the water. A sea breeze eventually developed, allowing additional races later in the afternoon.
We de‑rigged the boat, packed up, and I began the return trip to Richmond.
Thanks to Nick and Tobias for the opportunity to join them for the weekend. It was a valuable chance to learn the Viper, and extend my winter sailing break.
