The 110th running of the Great Vallejo Race was off to a wet and rainy start on Saturday, But thankfully there was wind. 276 boats signed up for the romp to Vallejo and back, but there were plenty of no shows because of the inclement weather. They missed out on a reasonably fast, fun downwind run on Saturday (despite ebb the whole way).

The race started mid-Bay, with a quick windward leg before the 21-mile run up to Vallejo Yacht Club.

It seems the tide never changed, with the warm rain washing melted snow down river and out the Gate. At times, the ebb flowed at over two knots when the tide book said it should be flooding. That made for a tactician’s dream finding passing lanes all day Saturday.

But alas, some of them were within the newly restricted area at the Richmond Long Wharf. Plenty of boats crossed the ‘imaginary line’ into the forbidden zone when no one seemed to be watching. But we saw you.

With enough wind holes to liven up the mix, boats had little time to relax and enjoy the views of refineries and such. Most headed to shore to get current relief, and some got stuck in the shallows. Some went out to look for the predicted flood, which they couldn’t find. In the end everyone finished before dark, and even the stragglers were in as the party started.

Despite the weather, the hardy Santana 22 fleet stuck to their plan of a dockside barbecue at the Vallejo Marina and were even joined by friends from bigger boats. Over at Vallejo YC, the party raged on past midnight, as dancers twisted the night away.

Sometime between the Sunday morning PA announcement for breakfast and the one for the AA meeting upstairs, a heavy rain pounded the raft-up. Some sailors emerged for the morning already in foulies, which they would regret as the morning wore on, rainless, humid, surprisingly warm, even sunny at times.

Sunday was different as Sundays seem to be. No rain, plenty of wind on the nose, and chop. The tacticians on Sunday got to sit on the rail and relax - no passing lanes today. It was up to the drivers to steer through the waves cleanly. Not to anyone’s surprise the big heavy boats did well in the slop and wind. And the light jumpy boats were glad to be going home. 

The Vallejo Race serves as the ‘season opener’ for the YRA, and is the first two races in the wildly popular newish six-race Party Circuit. For complete results, which may still be subject to adjustment, see www.yra.org.