Open 5.70 Spring Dash

April 26, 2012

The second edition of the Open 5.70 Spring Dash was hosted by South Beach Yacht Club on April 21-22. The race organizers included Lisa Gidley, SBYC Rear Commodore; Eugene Hu, PRO; and approximately 15 additional SBYC race committee volunteers. Everyone did fine job to make these two days a great racing opportunity for the Northern California Open 5.70 fleet.

On Saturday, eight boats showed up for an 11:30 start, but due to light winds racing was delayed for a couple of hours. The wind finally built to around 7-9 knots from the northwest, and we got the first race off at around 13:00. Due to a combination of a robust flood and the northerly wind, the first two races required a starboard rounding with a longish reach to the offset mark. No one missed the signal, so there were no port rounding errors. By 16:00, the wind speed had backed off again to around 3-4 knots, therefore racing ended after three completions. Everyone learned a good deal about light air and strong current, a clearly frustrating combination, but adequate for a few good duels.

The finish of the first race on Saturday. ©2012 Paul Janofsky

On Sunday, everyone showed up on time with high hopes for stronger wind. The hopes were realized, and after a few practice starts and the relocation of the starting pin end due to the strong current, we were racing, once again beginning against the flood, but with a solid 11-14 knot north wind. It became apparent the course was well placed as the fleet was split 40-60% port and starboard headings to the first mark. Thanks to the better air we were able to get in four good competitive races. As on Saturday the match racing, covering and dueling resulted in close finishes, some within feet or even inches.

The fleet in front of South Beach. ©2012 Paul Janofsky

The Maker, The Rooster and Boracic arriving at the leeward mark. ©2012 Paul Janofsky

By 15:15 and after four races, the fleet was ready to head for SBYC. By 16:30 everyone gathered at the club for a round of cheer, hors d’oeuvres, stories and the awards ceremony. Tom Baffico on The Maker (crewed by Synthia Petroka and Nick Burke) finished first after seven races. Marc Finot and his crew on Frolic (Patrick Muglia and new 5.70 owner Dave Peckham) finished second place. Michael Gough's Boracic (crewed by Ross Werner and Tyler Gough) finished third. A special award was presented to Dave Peckham, our newest fleet member. Full results can be found at www.regattanetwork.com/event/5210#_newsroom.

Tom Baffico, Marc Finot and Michael Gough. ©2012 Andrew Rist

Thank you to all the skippers, crew and RC for a great second year. We're looking forward to our third Spring Dash next year. The fleet will meet again for the Elite Keel in May organized by San Francisco YC before heading to Southern California for Long Beach Week Race in June.

- Marc Finot, Fleet Captain and Milt Smith, PRO for the Spring Dash 2012