By land and by sea
SUN PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES
These six boats are neck and neck coming into the second lap Saturday during the 20th Annual Conquistador Cup Regatta. The races are set to continue today on Charlotte Harbor.
SUN PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES
Crossing the finish line first in the Multi Hull race, but not declared a winner as of Saturday afternoon is sail 170, Unleaded 111, skippered by Rick Lapenotiere.
SUN PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES
Crossing the finish line in first place in the Spinnaker race is sail 23, Hot Toddy, skippered by Stephen Todd.
SUN PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES
The Conquistadors, on land at the Peace River Seafood Festival, standing in front of their miniature ship, are: Gill Baillaregeon, Lindsay Harrington, Ray Dion, Bob Sween, Steve Fabian and Tom des Enfants.
SUN PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES
Dressed warm for the day at the seafood fest are Jacqui and Justin Maitland.
SUN PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES
It all looks good at the Fried Captain’s Platter booth to friends Vivian Timko, Lyn Doon and Ali Mindancer, during the fest.
The 20th Annual Conquistador Cup Regatta and Peace River Seafood Festival dominated downtown Punta Gorda and the waters of Charlotte Harbor Saturday. At 10:55 a.m., the warning signal was sounded, but the first races — which combined were the non-spinnakers and true cruising classes — actually started about five minutes late due to a lack of wind at that hour. Once the race started, the boats made two laps and raced to the finish. Unfortunately, the weather became much more aggressive later in the day, causing one catamaran to overturn and dump three sailors in the harbor. Two were unharmed, but a third person was taken to a hospital to be treated for hypothermia, regatta chairman Bob Knowles confirmed Saturday. No further information about that person’s condition was available late Saturday. The races and festival were set to continue today.
