Delta Ditch Run Pt II
More from this year’s migration east. “Onward to the interior of our great state!” This part is mostly pictures; for the story, see Part I.
Judy Bentsen was one of our contributing photographers, but someone else must have taken this picture, because she’s trimming on her Beneteau 42s7. Photo courtesy Tivoli © 2009 norcalsailing.com
Gordie Nash, steering his radically modified Santana 27 Arcadia to victory in Heavy 2. Ruth Suzuki/Arcadia © 2009 norcalsailing.com
Croc Eau, a LaCoste 42, emerges into full sun with corresponding wardrobe. Judy Bentsen/Tivoli © 2009 norcalsailing.com
Bravo, a Pretorien 35 from Stockton, raced competitively while barbecuing burgers (with or without bleu cheese), and coifing pinot grigio from real wine glasses. © 2009 norcalsailing.com
Bloom County, a custom Mancebo 31 just acquired by rigger, tactician and all-around great guy Jon Stewart, does a bald-headed douse after losing control in the puffy conditions. Judy Bentsen/Tivoli © 2009 norcalsailing.com
The Olson 34 Joy Ride, formerly Ozone, and the Express 27 Loose Cannon. Ruth Suzuki/Arcadia © 2009 norcalsailing.com
Family Hour (the Next Generation), the Bilafer family’s Henderson 30, ran aground. They made it to Stockton but radioed the race committee to report themselves DNF (Did Not Finish). Judy Bentsen/Tivoli © 2009 norcalsailing.com
As seen passing by Oulton Point, the Cheetah 30 Super Fly from San Diego YC. © 2009 Richmond YC
At daymarker #37, the Cal 27 Happyhouka, sailed by Greg Goodman and his veteran Ditch Run crew. © 2009 Richmond YC
Erik Menzel on the often-renamed Wylie Wabbit this time called Wabbit in the Willows took one of our half dozen video cameras. “We did not have the camera going when we ran aground. Nor the time we had the trap guy trailing behind the boat by 20 feet, hanging onto the spinnaker sheet. All kinds of moves that put us from second to fourth for the Wabbits and made us feel quite mortal. Since we do have a cheater rating, we did just fine with regards to the rest of the fleet, and since we were sailing a Wabbit, we had a blast regardless.”
Our 2009 Delta Ditch Run movie is now online; it’s about 11 minutes long and shot entirely from race boats, including the afore-mentioned Wabbit.
For a gallery of more Ditch Run photos, see www.pbase.com/slackwater_sf/2009deltaditch.
June 8, 2009
Still emerging from the clouds in San Pablo Bay, Ghost Dog chases Weckless. They would finish first and second in Light 3. The Wylie Wabbits had six boats; not sure why they didn’t have a one design division. © 2009 norcalsailing.com