A ‘Crown Jewel’ in the Oakland Estuary’s beer can racing season, Island Yacht Club’s Friday night races alternate with Encinal’s. Both clubs are on the Alameda side. This past Friday, it was IYC’s turn. Twenty-two boats came out to play - including some single race entries - in five divisions.

The race committee starts and finishes the races down the dock from the club. Lots of volunteers turned out this Friday.

The Santana 22s have their own one design start in the series. This Friday, they fielded five boats.

The fleets sail up the Estuary toward Jack London Square, turning around inflatable marks before they can get into shipping territory.

The race committee put the wind speed at 6-8 knots WSW, but there must’ve have been some good gusts up the course, as boats accelerated on puffs, and round-ups threatened.

Back at the club after the race, a multi-choice barbecue was served up, with Cinco de Mayo-themed fajitas a popular menu item. You get a raffle ticket with your dinner ticket, and raffle prizes were given out after the racing prizes (cans of beer, in cozies).

Results of the racing (but not the raffle prizes) are online at www.iyc.org/raceinfo.htm. This was #2 in the five-race spring series, to be followed by a five-race summer series. This week the islanders head to Encinal for their Twilight Series.