SCOTT GREGORY LOOKS AHEAD TO THE ST. PETE NOOD

It is hard to believe St. Pete NOOD, the second event of the World Ranking and the first South East Championship Series, is only a week away. From discussions, it appears there will be over 30 boats by the end of registration on Thursday night. Excellent turnout.

Early favorites for the top spot are Doug Fisher, USA 3, and Stuart Rix, Gill. The Gill team won the Ocean Reef Invitational in December and Fisher won at Kings Day in November. In addition, National Class President Jeff Jones, Kilroy, has been sailing well and has a lot of time in the boat recently. Ryan Hamm, When Pigs Fly, had a strong showing last year and his team sailed extremely well at Kings Day. Look for them at the front of the fleet. Bob Dockery, Barracuda, also had a good showing at Kings Day and will be a strong team in St. Pete. We hope to see his name on the list of entries. Ray Laguna, Mr. Hyde, won the Commodores Cup at Davis Island recently and will look to repeat the success at the NOODS.

Just below the radar screen is Tom Carter, Trust Me. He has a strong crew for St. Pete including rock star Tom Babel and former Melges 24 owner, Mike Nulf. Jennings, Pied Piper, has made a strong entry into the class and had solid boat speed at the Ocean Reef Invitational regatta in December. Further, there is a host of local boats out of Davis Island Yacht Club who will be tough in their home waters. I am sure there are several well sailed boats I have missed who are lying in wait to rise to the top at St. Pete. I hope Team Satisfaction is one of them.

Cheers,
Scott Gregory
"Team Satisfaction"
USA 378