Gracie and George Regatta

August 11, 2010

This year was a pleasantly breezy Gracie and George Race. The nine boat fleet started at the old Naval Air Station entrance buoy #2 on the beginning of an ebb with a 15+ westerly. In case you're not familiar with it, Gracie and George is a doublehanded, coed, women's skipper regatta. The race starts in the South Bay and finishes at Encinal YC on the Alameda side of the Estuary.

Linda Farabee and Mike Mannix aboard Harp. ©2010 Fred Fago

Racer X, with Mary McGrath at the helm and husband Rich Pipkin crewing, pulled out an early lead heading toward South Beach only to be slowed down by a freighter. But Mary worked around it, kept up her speed, then hesitated for awhile in the shifty gusty winds at the mouth of the Estuary whether to fly her spinnaker. She decided to go for it, so she could keep her spot, first to finish and first in division. 

Uno's number one in the Gracie and George - twice. ©2010 Fred Fago

Uno, a Wylie 30, helmed by Karen Flick and expertly crewed by Steve Wonner, was hot on her heels. They not only saved their time to correct out first in Divison B, PHRF over 121, but also held onto their title from 2009 of overall Gracie and George winner. 

Motorcycle Irene with Mini star Emma Creighton at the helm. ©2010 Fred Fago

It was a fast race, with plenty of wind even in the Estuary, so all of the fleet finished the 12+ mile long course in less than 2.5 hours, leaving plenty of time for partying at the club afterwards. 

Elise's Nathalie Criou (right) accepts her trophy from race organizer Margaret Fago, who painted the watercolor prizes. ©2010 Fred Fago

Trophies were given for the following:

1st overall, Uno, Wylie 30, Karen Flick/Steve Wonner  

Div A: PHRF 121 and under
1st, Racer X, Mary McGrath/Rich Pipkin
2nd, Harp, Catalina 38, Linda Farabee/Mike Mannix
3rd, Joyride, J/109, Jenn & Jim Vickers

Div B: PHRF over 121
1st, Uno, Wylie 30, Karen Flick/Steve Wonner
2nd, Motorcycle Irene, Express 27, Emma Creighton/Will Paxton           
3rd, Elise, Express 27, Nathalie Criou/Mark Melville

- Margaret & Fred Fago, Encinal YC