Encinal Friday Night
Spectacular clouds and puffy wind from the southwest were the treat for Friday night racers on the Estuary, kicking off this weekend with a quick, easy dash with minimal tacking and jibing. The forecast rain was a joke, barely noticed except by spotted windshields in the parking lot.
Hey kids, let’s go sailing! © 2009 norcalsailing.com
Encinal Yacht Club, situated in Alameda’s Marina Village, hosts a Friday Night series every other week. Island YC (down island a bit in Alameda Marina) also has a Friday night series, scheduled on alternating weeks. Many racers sign up for both, and so race every week, but with some variety in on-the-water details and post-race celebrations.
Division 1 start (l-r): Outsider, Spellbinder and Rascal. © 2009 norcalsailing.com
Encinal YC starts the race from a boat on the water, which retires after the six divisions (including one for Finns) start. Then they finish the race off the dock. A visit to the club bar and buffet follow the racing.
The Olson 40 Spellbinder runs down the Estuary before an ugly-pretty backdrop. © 2009 norcalsailing.com
“Up, up, up, up!” A pair of Columbia 5.5s tangle with each other. They have a one design division in this series. © 2009 norcalsailing.com
Here’s what a 5.5 cockpit looks like. © 2009 norcalsailing.com
The J/124 Spirit of Freedom fought a hard battle with Jet Stream. © 2009 norcalsailing.com
Find an entry form, results and more at www.encinal.org.
June 13, 2009
Dan Alvarez’s anorexic JS9000 Jet Stream slices up the Estuary on the way to a first place finish. © 2009 norcalsailing.com