race report
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 Aphrodesia, a Cal 27, and Captain Midnight, a Columbia Challenger, on the run up the San Joaquin River. ©2011 norcalsailing.com |
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Franks Tract Regatta August 10, 2011 We know about race rivalries like the St. Francis and San Francisco Yacht Club, but one little known yacht club race battle is up in the Delta out on the San Joaquin River with river rival clubs duking it out for a coveted trophy with a tractor on top.
The Stockton Sailing Club and Andreas Cove Yacht Club have been fighting it out in the annual Franks Tract Regatta since 1981, and although other clubs have claimed the prize they have been the most upset to lose or elated to win. The race began its life as a loop around Bradford Island through False River, which borders Franks Tract to the north. The course had its twists and turns. Legend has it that an old tractor was submerged when Franks Tract flooded, and lies in wait somewhere for a hapless competitor to hit it.
Nowadays the event consists of three races over one weekend on the San Joaquin River, with the overall winner taking home the tractor trophy. Although ACYC won it in the first year in 1981 and in a few other early years, the Stockton Sailing Club has been beating them soundly lately. This year they signed up new member Peter Yates and his Wylie 34 Coyote to be the ringer in an attempt to bring home the tractor.
It didn't work, as Coyote and crew couldn't keep up with Andy Goodman on the Express 27 Loose Cannon, and overall winner Bill Canepa on the SSC Columbia Challenger Faith corrected out over everyone. Peter left saying something about weeds on the prop and how damn fast those little boats were.
Two races were sailed on Saturday. With good breeze in the morning, race organizer John Gilfillan assigned a long course. Unfortunately, the breeze died and the race stretched out for three hours. The second race on Saturday was a quickie, with the Delta breeze back on track.
On Sunday, John kept the course to 8.5 nm so that the Stockton Sailing Club contingent could make it back upriver before suppertime. ACYC is located at Owl Harbor, on Sevenmile Slough, two and half hours down the river from Stockton.
For more, see www.andreascoveyc.org.
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