Despite the hard rain and wind predicted, Sunday didn't go down the drain. The race committee promised that all the race boats in the harbor would receive a free rinse-down overnight. A drenching downpour materialized all right, but all the classes started on time. A brief squall ramped up the windspeed for the mid-fleet starts, and a few late reefs were tucked in just before the starting guns.

Even with a 15-18 knot storm-driven southerly, holes were still to be found. The fleets that went around Angel Island were surprised to find some close to land. This time around hugging the island to get relief from the ebb didn't work out. Some used a big diamond lane just 300 yards off the shore to big gains.

This marks the first time in recent memory that the majority of boats finished in time for the free keg back at the CYC clubhouse, where the halls were festooned with dripping foulies. For all the results and overall standings (still provisional as of Monday night), see www.cyc.org/racing.

Thanks to Erik Simonson and Laura Watt for contributing photos. See lots more of Erik’s at www.h2oshots.com, and Laura’s from onboard Elan at www.flickr.com/photos/lawatt/sets/72157614261434109. For more photos from GOES West and his coworkers, see www.goes.noaa.gov.