2009 U.S. Snipe Nationals

This comes from videographer Vince Casalaina:

The 2009 US Snipe Snipe Nationals kicked off in Pensacola this past June in what was billed as much better conditions than when the Nationals were last here. The conditions were everything competitors thought it would be with everything from very light air to crashing thunderstorms. Throughout the regatta, the Pensacola Yacht Club did an outstanding job of hosting and running the event. The competition was intense, as it always is when Snipes race.

We take our motto very seriously. Serious Sailing, Serious Fun. There were plenty of both there that week. It was great to see a strong contingent of younger sailors including some all american collegiate racers and the 2007 World Champions Tomas Hornos and Enrique Quintera.

Augie Diaz and Kathleen Tocke won the regatta to keep their string alive from last year in San Francisco. Taking place on Saturday and Sunday before the Nationals were the US Snipe Jr. Nationals (not older than 21) and the Special Juniors (Jr. skipper and Sr. crew). Raul Rios and Antonio Sifre won the Jr. Nationals and are going to the Snipe Jr. Worlds and 11 year old Christian Filter sailing with his dad came in 2nd overall and won the Special Jr.s.