World
class attractions, first-rate excitement and
the attendance of Miss Finland 2006, ranked the
Fort Myers Poker Run one of the hottest PRA
events on record! By
Stu McDonald
(See more pictures
...)
Fast
boats and magnificent Florida sunshine made the 2006 Poker Runs
America Ft. Myers Poker Run a weekend to remember for more than
50 performance boaters, their families, and their friends.
The fourth annual event, held May 4-5, 2006, attracted entries
from the across the United States, and as far away as Canada
and Europe. Participants enjoyed the luxurious accommodations
at our new host venue, The Pink Shell Resort and Spa on Ft.
Myers Beach, where guests were treated like royalty throughout
the weekend. Dockage for the event was provided by Salty Sam’s
Marina, and The Bridge 9Restaurant.
The weekend festivities shifted into high gear on Friday, as
a myriad of eye-opening, high performance boats arrived. Poker
Runners were directed to the accommodating slips at either Salty
Sam’s Marina (Parrot Key Restaurant) or The Bridge Restaurant,
where the Friday night welcoming party was held. As the boats
began to fill the new floating docks at Salty Sam’s, co-owner
Matt Hansen, who had been promoting the poker run for several
weeks, organized a draw among his patrons for a exhilarating
ride in the 42' Fountain Poker Runs America Pace Boat. Four
lucky winners headed down to the docks, where Scott Gaines waited
to take them on an unforgettable trip on the Gulf of Mexico.
After the ride, they were presented with personalized certificates
to honor the fact that they were the newest members of the Poker
Runs America “One Hundred Miles per Hour Club.”
As the sun began to set over Ft. Myers Beach, it was time to
party! Special thanks to Dean Clausen of The Bravo Shop for
his assistance in arranging the docking at The Bridge Restaurant
and helping to organize the welcome party. Heartfelt thanks
are also in order for Mickey Ferry of The Bridge Restaurant,
for his invaluable assistance that made the entertainment so
memorable.
In response to suggestions from our poker runners, we relocated
the event registration area to The Bridge Restaurant, where
Tamara Taylor and Ellen McPherson greeted participants, and
processed their paperwork so that they could obtain their stickers
and wristbands in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Throughout the weekend, poker runners and spectators strolled
along the slips to admire one of the best high-performance boat
spectacles ever to take place in the Ft. Myers area. Nor-Tech,
one of our major sponsors, pulled out all of the stops and persuaded
many of their customers to bring their boats to the event. Trond
Schou, Terry Sobo and Cindy Trombley of Nor-Tech were on hand
to answer questions, and they were kept very busy because Zack
Taylor arrived to showcase his new canopied Nor-Tech, Danger
Zone, and Theodoro Obliang, who arrived from the far east, brought
his brand new 50’ Cat.
The Ft. Myers Poker Run took on a distinctively international
affair with the arrival of Pertti Leppala, a Fountain, Formula
and Rinker importer for Finland, Norway, Sweden and Russia.
Perrti brought along Miss Finland 2006, the beautiful Ninni
Laaksonen. Pertti visited the United States solely to attend
our event, and gain first hand knowledge on how to present a
poker run, since he is planning to organize the first ever poker
run in Finland next July, where Miss Finland will be at the
helm of a new 42’ Fountain.
Following a good night’s rest at the Pink Shell, the Poker
Runners were ready to go on Saturday morning. Registration was
open at 7 a.m. for last minute entrants, prior to the mandatory
Driver’s Meeting. Poker Runs America master of ceremonies,
Dave Kirkland, explained the safety rules and briefed drivers
and navigators on the subtle nuances of the course. These waters
can be quite tricky to navigate for those who are new to the
area, and it's always our number one priority to ensure that
everyone returns safely.
Following the driver’s meeting and the dealing of card
1, the crews headed out to rendezvous with the three pace-boats
that were waiting offshore, just in front of the Pink Shell.
With Poker Runs America's Bill Taylor, in his 47’ Fountain,
Scott Gaines, driving a 42’ Fountain and Rejean and Jennifer
Doucet, in their 45’ Sonic, the group proceeded past Ft.
Myers Beach, giving spectators a fantastic display of the parade
of power before turning gradually to starboard en route to the
second card stop at Gasparilla. Following the fleet was the
Poker Runs America Safety boat, with Poker Runs America's Bill
Jennings and Scott Steele, the event's paramedic. We are pleased
to report that Bill and Scott had a pleasant day of boating
without any incidents, and their assistance was invaluable at
this year's event.
Upon the arrival at Gasparilla Marina, located in Placido, Florida,
our friendly Pirate of the Gulf of Mexico was once again brandishing
his saber from the bow of his center console pirate ship. John
Chaplin of Gasparilla Marina must have really worked hard to
change this character from raping and pillaging to handing out
cards to poker runners. Thanks once again to John for all his
help.
After collecting card 2, it was hammers-down to the private
island of Useppa, one of the most picturesque islands off the
west coast of Florida, where the fleet paused for lunch at the
Useppa Island Club. This idyllic mooring spot, which is normally
filled with fishing boats and small cruisers, seemed unusually
frenetic when it accommodated our fleet of more than 50 high-performance
boats. Frank & Millie Ricciardeli, Poker runners and residents
of Useppa, were on hand to greet everyone as they came ashore.
Frank was unfortunately unable to join us on the run but a special
thanks is in order for him and Millie who made it possible for
us to be on this beautiful, private island.
After a delicious lunch and poker card 3, the group set out
on the next leg of the run, which took the boats from Useppa
Island to Burnt Store, where Harry Carson, owner of Harpoon
Harry’s Restaurant (the lunch stop for our recent Sarasota
Poker Run), was anchored in his 62’ Viking to hand out
card 4.
Following the dealing of the cards, the fleet split into two
groups with the larger boats heading back out through Boca Grande
Pass into the gulf, while the others cruised the scenic Intracoastal
Waterway back to Ft. Myers and the end of the run.
As you can well imagine, the fun didn’t stop there.
At 7 p.m., everyone gathered poolside at the Pink Shell for
cocktails and a delicious sunset dinner. Before the cards were
revealed, some special awards were presented.
The Best Dressed Crew, a new award introduced at this event,
was presented to John Gregorio and the crew of his 42’
Cigarette. The Most Exotic Engine Compartment award went to
Larry Barrego for his 43’ Nor-Tech, “Follow Me,”
and the Best Graphics Award went to another Nor-Tech, Theodoro
Obliang's 50’ Cat. Following a special presentation made
to our overseas visitors from Finland, Ninni Laaksonen and Pertti
Leppala, the cards were finally revealed.
In first place with four Jacks was Dave Schnell in his 42’
Cigarette, “Show Stopper". In second, with three
Kings, was Michael Alexander in his 32’ Skater “TJA
Motorsports.” Third place was taken with two pairs by
one of our sponsors, Joe Spina, in his 36’ Nor-Tech “Loose
Cannon.”
Poker Runs America would like to thank all of our event sponsors,
volunteers and of course, the poker runners who attended the
2006 Ft. Myers event. Thank you for coming and we hope to see
you all at The Pink Shell Resort next year! (Top) |
Finding and enjoying some shade following the delicious
lunch at Useppa Island.
Outlining the rules and regulations of the run during
the mandatory driver’s meeting.
Enjoying the relaxing atmosphere during the lunch
stop at the Useppa Island Club.
Dean Clausen of The Bravo Shop chats with fellow
poker runners
during the Friday night party at the Bridge Waterfront Restaurant.
Enjoying the Pink Shell during the awards banquet.
(l-r) Mike Livorsi, Trond Schou, Victoria Livorsi and Mike White.
Having some fun with the evening’s entertainment
during the award’s banquet.
A surprise visit from the stunning Ninni Laaksonen,
Miss Finland 2006.
While she was aboard a pace boat, it would come as no surprise
if everyone followed her even without the green flag!
(See more pictures ...)
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