Light and Lumpy Doublehanded Farallones

April 3, 2010

The Bay Area Multihull Association (BAMA) ran the third ocean race in a month this Saturday. This was the first race of the year out to the Farallones for local sailors, with two humans for each boat. One of the photographers at the start line observed, "There was a nice ebb tide, lightish wind, and a few boat over early, taking a long time to clear the line."

Morgan Gutenkunst and Patrick Whitmarsh borrowed Andy Costello's J/125 Double Trouble. Andy took pictures of them from his RIB. ©2010 Andy Costello

An 11-knot wind was blowing from the north at the Lightship in the morning. The fleet sailed in lighter breeze, carried on the ebb, until they got to Pt. Bonita. Once clear of the lee of the Marin Headlands, they had a quick ride to the Farallones. The sun came out early in the afternoon, and by 1500 hours the westerly had filled in to push the spinnakers toward home on a flood.

Tivoli, the Bentsens' Beneteau First 42s7, appears to ride high on the waves. ©2010 Rich Hudnut, Jr.

"Timo Bruck and I sailed the Doublehanded Farallones race on his J/120, Twist," writes Rich Hudnut, Jr.

"The race started on time, to our surprise. It was light but we had wind. Going out the Gate, we went south, which was working, but we should have followed the Azzura 310 Outsider's tack back north, so we didn't get in the best wind as soon as others did. With the ebb, the waves were jacking up and it was kind of rough and cold until the Lightship. About half way to the Farallones, the sun started working its way through the clouds, we got to the islands in full sunlight, it was a beautiful day, and I got some great shots."

The crew on Sapphire, Dave Rasmussen's Synergy 1000, waves at Twist. ©2010 Rich Hudnut, Jr.

"The kite ride home was uneventful, just a glorious day on the ocean. Winds were 8-14 knots most of the day." See Rich's Picasa page for more photos.

Tatiana, an F-9RX crossed the finish line first, at 14:35:40. ©2010 BAMA

News stories of five containers overboard 12 miles outside the Gate worried those waiting at home, but the floating objects spotted by racers consisted of logs, boards and the usual debris washing downstream after a stormy week, plus crab pots.

Pat Broderick, sailing with Michael Andrews on the Wyliecat 30 Nancy, called it "Light and lumpy." For Pat's detailed, first-person report, see our next story, 'Nancy in the Doublehanded Farallones'. See more of BAMA's photos here. Our movie is now online. Results will be posted at www.sfbama.org.