OSTAR stands for Observer Single-handed
Trans-Atlantic Race,
a famous ocean race sponsored by a British Newspaper.
There were three OSTAR boats in this regatta. Jim Hunt's bright
red Condor 40 trimaran, Doug Fricke's white trimaran Roamin' Chariot, and
John Shaw's light blue catamaran Ms. Patty . The blue cat and the red tri
are OSTAR veterans. Roamin' Chariot was designed for the OSTAR, but
it is unclear whether this particular boat ever competed in the race, although
several of her sisterships have raced across the Atlantic many times.
Ms. Patty is a Dick Newick design built by John Shaw
in his back yard in Tampa.
When the boat was completed, he sailed it to England and raced back to the
US.
Roamin' Chariot is also a Dick Newick design. Doug
Fricke of St. Petersburg, Florida owned and raced Roamin' Chariot for many
years but it now has a new owner. Fortunately for us, it is still in
the area and can be seen at various races in Florida.