On Saturday, RegattaPRO’s Midwinters got underway with two races for five one design fleets: Melges 24, J/24, J/120, and - sharing the same number for most sign-ups (16 each) - J/105 and Express 27. Crewing on Buzz Blackett’s E27 New Wave, Laura Watt was inspired to capture the silvery day in photos.

“We kept trading jibes with Magic Bus,” said Laura, “both boats trying to get and maintain a lead to the finish. We raced neck and neck on our last downwind leg of the day and held them off to win by a nose!

“We took second place in both races, while Magic Bus got a first and a third - so they win on the tie-breaker (they have a first place, we don't), but we're even points-wise, and leading the fleet of about 15 boats - not a bad way to start the series!” Three more Saturdays of racing follow, one each in December, January and February.

“We spent the entirety of our second race following Will Paxton's boat, Motorcycle Irene - we just couldn't get around them!” Irene took first place in the second race, but a sixth place in the first race puts them in third place overall (so far).

Leading the other fleets are the J/105 Wonder, the J/120 Mr. Magoo, the J/24 TMC Racing, and the Melges 24 Smokin. For race organizer Jeff Zarwell’s report on this event, click here. For complete results and more, see www.regattapro.com/regattas.html. For more of Laura’s photos and commentary, go to www.flickr.com/photos/lawatt/sets/72157608820271350.

One design fleets for Olson 30s, Ultimate 20s and Moore 24s sailed in the Berkeley Midwinters on Saturday, plus Ultimate 20s and Catalina 22s on Sunday. For more on those races, click here.