Telltale February 2003

Shots from the Race Deck

by Michael Moradzadeh

An interesting and challenging Midwinter Regatta kicked off our 2003 racing season. With abnormal North winds giving us the Hobson’s choice of a downwind start or a somewhat reachy North Bay course, we opted for the latter. “What the heck,” I thought, “it will be good to sail in a little different water.”

Couple of problems set in right away; the line set so square to the wind was, as it turns out, nearly in-line with the first mark (Southampton Platform). This caused quite a pile-up at the pin. A couple of boats got dinged, including, I am sorry to say, Hank Easom’s beautiful Yucca.

The racing, however was splendid, as our fearless competitors (over 120!) rocketing around the course in brilliant weather. The first finishers came up even as we were docking Cozy Lee.

Here came problem #2. As it turns out, the Coast Guard had taken a break from guarding the bay and very kindly moved all the marks in the Southampton Shoals Channel. This led to confusion, since our race instructions said to go to mark 4 at the north end of the channel. Well, that was mark 6, and mark 4 was elsewhere. Some racers rounded mark 6, others rounded every red buoy in the vicinity.

We offered to toss the races for affected racers; there were few takers, and those have been withdrawn, so the races will stand. Our trophy committee will probably pump up the trophy count so nobody feels too done in by this!

Dinner and a party, kicked off with a Keg from Pineapple Sails and serenaded by Bay Area Blues Society, went swimmingly. The bar reported great revenues. The latter may have been aided by a boisterous crowd watching some sort of sailing race in New Zealand. Kiwi Midwinters, I think.

Sunday, with revised course sheets, there were no problems mentioned. Hank Easom was out on Yucca, charging the line and showing no fear. Julle LeVicki picked up another first in Smogen III, even after YRA downgraded his PHRF. Staff Commodore Bill Canada led his fleet of Beneteaus (Beneteaux?) around the course to take a bullet as well.

Second half of the Midwinters are February 15 and 16. Same deal. Party, Prizes, dinner, Bay Area Blues. For you, thirty bucks for the single weekend entry!

Front runners in the Aotea team trophy competition:
(1) SFYC: Arbitrage, Eclipse, Navigator
(2) Sausalito Yacht Club Gammon, Elaine, Roeboat
(3) Berkeley Yacht Club Shenanigans, Mintaka 4, Jeanette