Viper 16 multi-hull boat designer Greg Goodall, of Australia and his sailing partner Kelly Kreuger, from Iowa, fly past mile marker 16 in the Global Challenge races on Tuesday. Most of the boats in the races this week are Goodall’s designed Viper 16.
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By Leigh Clifton

Gulfport Beach was awash in color as over 30 competitive sailors from five countries arrived to compete in the Global Challenge. The multi-hull race, featuring F-16 Vipers, a twin-hull catamaran, is being sponsored by Gulfport Yacht Club and the City of Gulfport. The racers are here until Saturday and will race at least three races a day for points and time, with the final race Saturday afternoon. The course is set up out in front of Gulfport Beach, on Boca Ciega Bay. Racers from Switzerland, The Netherlands, Canada, US, and Australia are here to compete in the Challenge. Greg Goodall of Australia is the designer of the Viper and both he and his son Brett are also sailing competitors.
“This is such a great thing for Gulfport,” Mayor Mike Yakes said smiling, as he came down to the beach to welcome the racers. “Gulfport is not only the true gateway to the Gulf, it’s now becoming internationally known for this type of racing. It brings great business to the City and we are truly happy to help host this event.”
Bob Feckner, of GPYC, said that many of the racers signed up when they learned the Challenge was to be in Gulfport.
“So many of these sailors were here for the Alter Cup (another multi-hull race) last year. They loved the city and the beach here is perfect for launching for the races.”
These guys (and gals) are serious racers; they weren’t about to let a little wind of 18-25 knots from a small storm named Ida stop them from taking out their Viper 16s for a test run Tuesday morning. Although a few had some minor equipment snafus, (read spinnakers tangling and halyards snapping) everyone was busy fine-tuning for the rest of the week’s racing. The boats were flying across the bay and cut through the choppy water with the razor sharpness of an expensive kitchen knife.
The Global Challenge continues through Saturday on Gulfport Beach, with awards to be presented on the beach that afternoon.
It’s rare to be able to see such truly international world class sailing right in our own back yard; come out and be a part of it.
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