One of the oldest boats, in one of the most storied classes, took home overall winner honors at the 2013 Sperry Top-Sider St. Petersburg NOOD Regatta. Local Robby Brown dominated the 15-boat J/24 class, winning seven of 11 races. By virtue of the impressive win over some top competition, Brown, whose boat USA 799 first touched water 35 years ago, was selected as the overall winner for the regatta. That honor includes a trip to the British Virgin Islands in November, where Brown and his crew will get a chance to battle for national bragging rights in identical Sunsail 44i’s against the overall winners from the other five Sperry Top-Sider NOOD Regattas. Unseasonably cool conditions dominated the 16th edition of the Sperry Top-Sider St. Pete NOOD. But with the cool weather came breeze, and sailors generally prefer wind and cool weather to balmy temps and glassy seas. Those who braved the wind chill on Tampa Bay Friday through Sunday were rewarded with near perfect racing conditions, which enabled the race officials to run up to 11 races for each of the nine classes. Behind Brown and his 20 points were David Ogden’s Clear Air (36 points) and Travis Odenbach’s Honey Badger (38 points). For more information on the 2013 Sperry Top-Sider NOOD Regatta series visit: http://www.sailingworld.com/nood-regattas.

Leave a Comment