At high noon the first shotgun blast signaled the start of sequence for the 22 Vallejo Race divisions. They would race down the Napa River, through the Mare Island Strait, the Carquinez Strait and San Pablo Bay, with a finish at the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. On the way they would encounter chilly 15-20 knot winds at the start in Vallejo, building to a 25-30 knot howler on choppy San Pablo Bay.

Divisions started in reverse order. The Cruising Cats division went first, followed by the Santana 22 fleet. Last to start would be the fastest boats, including two Farr 36s, a TransPac 52, a Santa Cruz 52, and the Mull 82 Sorcery, which would start on reefed main only, after getting their deep keel unstuck from the river mud. Unlike Saturday’s aggressive starts, Sunday saw few boats even close to the start line when their gun went off. There were no over-earlies as a strong flood tide rushed up the river.

Although it seemed to some like a good idea to head out into the Carquinez Strait taking long tacks, most of the fleet hugged the rock seawall on the righthand side in order to get relief against the flood. Those who did were rewarded with a good lead going into San Pablo Bay.

In the Santana 22 fleet, Tchoupitoulas repeated their Saturday win. Stephen Buckingham, who sailed with boat partner Chris Giovacchini and crew Nicholas Odlum, described the scene on San Pablo Bay:

“The conditions were rough, very rough - it was all chewed up, and it was like sailing through chocolate milk, with short square waves and the wind blowing very hard. San Pablo Bay can get those short, steep, close-together waves that can be hairier then ocean waves. I remember saying to the guys, ‘Lets all hold on tight today because it’s not a good day to go in the water.’ We hugged the wall, then just straight-lined it right across to Pinole Point. There were big puffs that came through; they must have hit 25 knots. We were just glad to get home, yank the boat, dry out and say yeaaaa! And we beat everybody to the hoist.” We seem to be getting in the habit of congratulating Tchoupitoulas!

For Sunday’s results, see www.yra.org/Vallejo_Sunday_Results_2008.htm. Have a look at our photo gallery and slideshow of Sunday’s start. Also be sure to check out Peter Lyons’ photo galleries at www.lyonsimaging.com. Click here to go to our report on Saturday’s racing.