Commodore Lucas Invitational: Sailing in Carol’s Honor

The 53^rd Annual Commodore Lucas Invitational, honoring Spencer Lucas, took place Friday, October 23^rd, at the St. Pete Pass-a-Grille Yacht Club. This year’s event paid tribute to longtime event chair Carol Hansen.

Twelve sailors from seven clubs competed in five round-robin races. Volunteers helped Broad Reachers’ Captain Gloria Davis run the event, while more than 20 spectators cheered on the sailors and helped them in and out of their boats during switches.

The Competitors -- L to R: Susan St. John (LL), Jill Joos (BE), Els Wienken (SS), PJ Summerville (DD), Tiffany DeMarcay (MM), Suzanne Boohar (SS), Sandy Gerber (LL), Katie Rodgers (BR), Cathy McNally (BC), Karen Naulty (LL), Kate Wall (BC)

Jill Joos, Bitter Ends, and Cathy McNally and Kate Wall from the Bow Chasers, discuss the course.

Clear skies, temperatures in the 70s, and winds of 10–12 mph made for ideal sailing conditions. Accommodating all 12 boats at one floating dock worked better than expected, and every race ran smoothly.

Boats at the ready.

In the first race, three sailors missed the downwind finish and rounded the leeward mark a second time, affecting their results. It was a tough lesson for some of the leaders.

Wind and tide made rounding the windward mark challenging. From the dock, spectators could see who had learned to work with the tide — a reminder that judging a race from shore is easier than sailing it. Many participants had not sailed a pram in years but returned to honor Carol, whose example inspired them all. By day’s end, talk turned to massages, ibuprofen, and hot tub soaks for the sailors.

Heading to the windward mark.

At lunch, a tribute poster took center stage, highlighting Carol’s achievements with the Broad Reachers, Salty Sisters, and FWSA. It closed with these words: “We all shared in Carol’s joy, and we know she would want that joy to continue. We can never replace Carol, but we can honor her memory by ensuring that the organization she loved so deeply continues to bring us together through laughter, fun, and friendship.”

Over a delicious lunch of flatbread pizzas and cookies, everyone recapped the races and shared stories of Carol’s effervescent personality. Her spirit was felt throughout the day.

Els Wienken, regatta winner, proudly holds the Lucas Cup, as Suzanne Boohar and PJ Summerville display their prizes.

Regatta winners: Els Wienken, Salty Sister, took first place; Suzanne Boohar, Salty Sister, finished second; and PJ Summerville, Dinghy Dame, placed third.

2026 Commodore Lucas Invitational Regatta Results