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t was an unexpectedly beautiful day for sailing on January 1, 2023. Around 50 boats took advantage of the weather and met out on the water.

The sky view – there were around 50 vessels on the water for the 2023 Instead of Football Regatta.

This was the 30th year of the New Year’s Day tradition. Vessels (regardless of motor, sail, or lack of either) meet on the water at 11a to take a casual cruise around the marks. The skipper’s meeting is held later – at 3p.

The wind fills the spinnaker of SV Hornet.

Winners are not the first to cross the mark. Rather, they’re drawn out of a hat at the skipper’s meeting.

With that in mind, this year’s winners are:
• 1st Place: Ben Williams, Wild Rumpus, Tartan 37
• 2nd Place: Wade Ellison, Anticipation Too,Hunter 42
• 3rd Place: Ceri Anne, Delca, Tayana 42

Crew aboard SV Il Gatto watch as they barely miss the mark.

A drone video view of the 2023 regatta.

Sometimes crew trim the lines. Sometimes they don’t.

SV Blue.

Vessels heading toward the starting point.

Some vessels had only a single sailior. Others had a full compliment of crew – and passengers.

Boats coming out of the Pecan Grove Marina channel.

SV Out of the Blue in the lead.

Three vessels cleanly round the first mark.

SV Delca and her crew of Waldos.

Amongst the motor and sailing vessels, a sailing trimaran.

Some of the Duende crew take it easy.

Il Gatto cuts through the downwind vessels, attempting to make the mark on the correct side.

SV Delca had a theme: Where’s Waldo?

Crew of SV Champagne Sunset checking the rigging.

SV Länsa shows off tanbark-colored sails.

SV Sister Moon follows SV Alacrity.

Sailing or motor – all were at the Instead of Football Regatta.

SV Escapade.

Posted Wednesday January 4, 2023 by Allison DeWeese