Galloway Regatta Report and Results

The Gulfport YC (Gulfport, Mississippi) hosted the Gulf Yachting Association Laser Champs August 20 & 21, 2022 – also known locally as the Galloway Regatta. This Laser event attracted Sailors from 4 States -Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida.

The Race Committee made it interesting by starting (7) Full Rigs and (17) Radial Rigs – all together. Each size Rig was scored separately, however the Starts and Tactics gave the Racing experience of a 24 boat, Laser Fleet. Facebook users can (Click Here) to see a short video of one of the starts.

The summer sea breeze came in from the Gulf (SW) most of the time – with some Thunderstorm driven wind shifts later in the afternoon. Joe Comer Sr. – gave “sailing lessons” to the rest of the full rig fleet on Saturday scoring two bullets in varying condition s. All Courses for all fleets were W/L twice around, no offset at the Windward Mark rounding.

Sunday’s breeze was a bit more consistent the Wind/Sea Breeze again from SW with a clearing sky. Wind speed for the 3 Sunday Races was about 8-10 knots. There were plenty of wind driven waves to be worked and lead changes happened regularly before rounding the leeward mark. Impressive to see what some well-trained (lightweight) Radial skippers can do downwind vs. a full rig if you didn’t work the wave patterns.

In the end the father/son team of Joe Comer Sr. & Jr. (Full/Radial) dominated, each taking first in their division. Team Comer are members of the Fairhope YC – Sailing on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, Alabama. Results may be found on Regatta Network at: https://www.regattanetwork.com/event/24983

L– R (Pete Buckley & Mark Heinold), from the Grand Lagoon YC, at the event