SUN PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES
The Suncoast Model Sailing Club is playing host to two days of sailboat racing over the weekend at South County Regional Park in Punta Gorda, with 22 skippers from around the state competing in the Holiday Regatta of the Florida Association of EC12 Skippers. The boats are 5 feet long and weigh 23 pounds. Plenty of fans of radio-controlled boat racing came out to see this annual race. Here, these avid model sailboat racers maneuver their boats around the buoys with their handheld radio controls.

SUN PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES
These are the model sailboats the captains are sailing during the second heat at South County Regional Park during the competition.

SUN PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES
Skipper George Balaschak gets his sailboat No. 2200 ready to go in the water to compete in the Holiday Regatta.

SUN PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES
This beauty was making good time with just the right winds to get though the buoys.

SUN PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES
Skipper Mike Kaighin doesn’t take his eyes off his sailboat No. 2052.

SUN PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES
Skipper Ed Atkinson drove down from Lakeland, Fla., to compete in the race at South County Regional Park Saturday. He is seen here with his No. 1847 yellow EC12.

SUN PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES

Jim Pardee, owner of this EC12 No. X24, makes sure his radio is working properly before putting his sailboat into the water for the next heat.

SUN PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES

A group of avid model sailboat watchers cheered on their favorites during the competition.

SUN PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES

Brenda Pardee, owner of sailboat No. 12, puts her boat in the water to start in the second heat.

SUN PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES

In a race to the finish line, these models are in a dead heat.