The following was written by Brig North, our first Alamo Classic IOM Champion.  This is the first time Brig has sailed at Woodlawn and I thought everyone would enjoy knowing the perspective of this well traveled first rate IOM skipper:

"David and I were the two Dallas guys who joined eight Woodlawn Pirates for their IOM regatta, the Alamo Classic. All I can tell you was it was a blast!  Winds were very light and shifty, but the competition was good with a lot of different people winning races. It was easy to go from good to bad, even in the space of one short beat to the finish line. And by the way, David has his Mojo back, Baby, yeah. The boy is fast again, and these were conditions that the Skiffy generally doesn't like, so we had all better be on our toes....

This was my first trip to San Antonio to sail at Woodlawn, and I couldn't believe their set up. They had a fire going in the fire place, two refrigerators stocked with beer and soft drinks, and FOOD! Ray Seta's brother, Tony, cooked up great hamburgers and his mom did the rest. There were pinto beans, potato salad, sliced avocado, you name it, it was there. I was stuffed. Speaking of stuffed, their clubhouse has stuffed chairs that were as comfortable as they can be. I can sure see how one might decide it's better to sit in the clubhouse with a fire and beer and blow off sailing. 

This was the most fun I have had sailing in a regatta from a group dynamics perspective. People were cutting each other down constantly with David right in the middle of it, and the language was blue at best.  Just my cup of tea. Everyone was just plain fun to be around. It was really funny hearing Ray Seta, the tough pirate, saying "Dad, you aren't going to make the mark, or Dad, I am on starboard." Ray's dad was sailing very well and mixing it up, and kicked everyone's butt on several occasions!

We got great tee shirts that will be the envy of any sailing person. And Bruce Simmons, I am sorry you weren't there as the color of the shirt is very close to the color of your Trinity! In fact, Ray said that your boat color was his inspiration for the tee shirt color!!

All in all, a great set up and a great trip. Since David and I were sharing a room and I wasn't sure of his batting, if you know what I mean, I set up a ring of coke cans around my bed to tip me off if he was making his way to my bed, and no cans clanged. So, David's a safe roomie.  I will tell you, I am now more than a bit intrigued by Cricket. Aussie Rules Football as well.

The one person not mentioned was Wolfie. He was a no show. I have a message on my cell phone from him about troubles with the cops in some hick town, so I will give you the rundown as I learn it. This should be a GREAT story.

We are very fortunate to have a fun group of guys right down the road from us who are so enthused by the IOM. Can't wait until next year!!   Brig"
 

Race By Race Results

*=DNS,  **=DNF

Photo Gallery

All Our Flags A Fly'in!!!	A Start	Sailing	Racing Toward The Woodlawn Basketball Gymnasium	Skyline Over The Race
Buble Trail Behind Ray Seta's Black Pearl, Sail #88	Ray Mireles' Sail #77 Blazes a Trail To Windward	Criss-Crossing Fleet	Ray's Bantock Ikon #88 and Mark's Tornado 250 #91 Race To The Leward Mark	The Fastest Bantock Ikon in the Woodlawn Fleet!!!!
Close Pass	David Eldridge's Seta-Eata #26 covers Ray Seta's #88	Another Start	Crossing the Starting Line
Sailing From The Floating Barge	Ray Risks It All For a Slightly Better View.	Approaching The Leward Mark	Ray Seta Rounds First	Rare Sight - Ray Ahead of Eric
Mando's Bantock Italiko Sail #87 and Mark Hogan's Tornado 250 Sail #91 Prepare To Round The Leward Mark.	Tight Rounding	Chasing #48	Crowded Down Wind Run.	Budman Assists with The Regatta
Randy Rimmer Ran Today's Chase Boat and Snapped Photos of On The Water Action.	From Left To Right: Brig North, David Finnel and David Eldridge Hanging Out In The Woodlawn Club House.	Oh Ho, Ray's Smiling Now!	Ray Seta and The Trophy Presentation.	Everyone Get's Comfortable for The Awards Cerimony
Wait a Minute Here, That Ain't Ray on JK's Lap?!? What's Going On Here.	Woodlawn's David Finnel Left and LLYC's David Eldridge Right.	Our RD, John Oliveira.	David Finnel Wins The Special Finisher Award for Most Points Earned and Finishing Every Race.	Even Mando Was Having Fun.
Mark Hogan, Where's The Rum Dude!	Woodlawn's Commodore, Ray Seta	David Eldridge Displays His 2nd Place Trophy!	Brig North Accepts The First Place Trophy!