A local boat and imported talent proved to be an unbeatable combination in the 1st Acura Southern Ocean Racing Conference (SORC) Pro-Am race series.
With John Burnham, Editor of Sailing World magazine, as special guest crewmember, West Palm Beach skipper Buddy Cribb and his crew aboard Victory won a two-race series against six other boats in the 1D35 Class.
Preceding the Acura SORC, the Pro-Am event was both an opportunity for sponsors and their guests to sail with top-flight racers, and a chance for boats in the 1D35 class to practice starts and mark roundings. Thirteen of the 15 boats slated to race in the class this week took advantage of the informal session. Seven boats carried special guests.
Joss, sailed by Owen Kratz, from Houston, TX, finished second, with local
Miami television producer Jim Clark filling the guest slot.
The brief, but intense race series consisted of two short double windward-leeward courses, each with a practice start and an actual start. Conditions were ideal, with bright sunshine and a 12-14-knot southeasterly sea breeze.