2018 Mid-Winter Championship Report
Held March 4-5 under beautiful blue skies and almost perfect wind conditions, 24 skippers from around North America competed at Marco Island’s Frank Mackle Park for the RC Laser Mid-Winter Championship. This was the 15th Mid-Winters held at this venue beginning in 2004. It’s ideal design and amenities consist of a large shaded complex, bleachers for viewing, and a floating dock for launching the RC Lasers. Regatta hosts Mary Lee and Rocky Cale are a well matched team using all the best available resources to ensure this is the best Championship regatta on the circuit. Choosing past AMYA president, Dave Brawner, as the race director, and experienced race recorders Lisa Brawner, Elaine Hepkin, and Nick Mortgu ensured for perfect racing. Mary Lee as chief scorer with Beth Lippincott checking the math helped achieve quick totals for an award presentation of fine crystal.
Seven-time Mid-Winter Champion and defending champion Jim Kaighin from Marsh Harbour, Bahamas with a score of just 25 points won the Gold Fleet, winning 11 out of 17 races over a field of the best RC Lasers in the country. Dave Branning from Tilghman, MD finished second with 52 points and Bill Bentz from Ft Lauderdale, FL finished third with 62 points. Fourth and fifth were Jim Pascadiles from Longboat Key, FL and Jim Flach from Pottstown, PA.
The Silver Fleet Champion was Harry Henkel from Easton MD with 37 points winning 12 races. Second place went to Fred DeSantis from Ocean City, NJ and third place to Henry DeWolf from Palm City FL.
Congratulations to all the RC laser skippers who attended this event.
The Mid-Winters is always a full weekend of activities. Practice races on Friday are always a great way to tune up and catch up with old friends before heading to Joey D’s Italian Restaurant for drinks and dinner. After Saturday’s racing all the contestants, family and friends converged at the famous Marco Island Yacht Club for a fine dinner where it’s a great place to relax over cocktails, tales and an excellent meal. Sunday after racing and awards it’s off to Stan’s Idle Hour at the southern end of the Island where the race committee hosts its farewell party.
We hope to see you at the Mid-Winters next year!
| GOLD FLEET | ||
| Place | Skipper | Points |
| 1 | Jim Kaighin | 25 |
| 2 | Dave Branning | 52 |
| 3 | Bill Bentz | 62 |
| 4 | Jim Pascalides | 65 |
| 5 | Jim Flach | 71 |
| 6 | Rocky Cale | 86.2 |
| 7 | Chuck Weaver | 87 |
| 8 | Richard Flach | 114 |
| 9 | Terry Naylon | 122 |
| 10 | Ray Szulczewski | 125 |
| 11 | Steve Lippincott | 128 |
| 12 | Roger Baldwin | 136 |
| SILVER FLEET | ||
| Place | Skipper | Points |
| 1 | Harry Henkel | 37 |
| 2 | Fred DeSantis | 64 |
| 3 | Henry DeWolf | 67 |
| 4 | Dave Fine | 71 |
| 5 | Nick Amendola | 71 |
| 6 | Hal Steward | 75 |
| 7 | Frank Vella | 97 |
| 8 | Herb Glesmann | 100 |
| 9 | Tom Kramer | 118 |
| 10 | John Amendola | 124 |
| 11 | Bruce Brenner | 151 |