May 28, 2013

Made in Santa Cruz Race Week wrapped up the Memorial Day weekend on Monday with two PHRF races with a fleet of four boats: A Santa Cruz 50, a Santa Cruz 40, one Olson 30 and the prototype to the Olson 30, Pacific High. "We designed, built and sailed Pacific High for 35 years," said Susie Snyder, skipper of record for SCRW. Three partners – Dennis and Rainy Bassano, Don and Susie Snyder, and George Olson and Ellen Neale – conceived of Pacific High – while in the Pacific High. "As we were sailing home from Hawaii on Merlin in 1977 we came up with the idea that we wanted to design a boat that could beat the Santa Cruz 27s. We conceptualized and built the boat in five months."

Although Pacific High is not an Olson 30 she looks very similar for a reason. "Before we were even done with the build, someone from Santa Barbara offered money to George to build the Olson 30. He built a mold, but it's not quite the same."

Olson 30 sailor Jay Crum claims that Pacific High is faster in light air, but the Olson 30 is faster in heavy air. "We sailed with the Olson 30s in one design before they caught on and kicked us out," said Susie. "By then they had enough boats that they didn't need us."

Bright chutes on a gray day: John Blackburn's SC40 Camelot and Jay Crum's Olson 30 Piñata. ©2013 Rick Linkmyer

The weekend's high winds moderated on Monday as a front passed through, bringing a few sprinkles and nice breeze outside of the harbor, beach and Boardwalk. "We were at the top of the #1 for the first race today," said Jay, who raced his Olson 30 Piñata. "In the second race, the wind died at the leeward mark." The race committee shortened course and called it a day. "Sunday we had a great second race. We lit the boat up on the run." Piñata won the two-day, four-race PHRF regatta. At 55, Jay was the youngest skipper. Jack Gordon's SC50 Roller Coaster came in second, and Pacific High third.

Roller Coaster and Camelot. ©2013 Rick Linkmyer

Bill Helvestine's Santa Cruz 50 Deception, on their way back from Monterey and the Spinnaker Cup, raced with the group on Sunday, but on Monday they took advantage of the light conditions to make their getaway for SF Bay. "The big boats might not have come because it's a gear-buster," opined Jay. "We'd get more big boats in September or October. But the summer conditions are fine for the SC27s and Moore 24s."

Camelot and Deception on sunny, windy Sunday start. ©2013 Rick Linkmyer

Roller Coaster on foggy Monday. ©2013 Rick Linkmyer

"Yesterday we hung on for dear life. Today we prayed for wind," said Rainy Bassano of Pacific High. "We've mostly been doing fun races, taking our friends out on Wednesday nights. But we didn't crash, didn't break anything, and no one got hurt." And that's a good thing for a 35-year old boat that still has life in her. "We just gave her a facelift," said Susie." We restored the fiberglass, gelcoat and non-skid after 35 years of use. In another 35 years we won't have to worry about it."

Roller Coaster squeezes Pacific High up at a start on Monday. ©2013 Rick Linkmyer

Coming up next this week is the usual Wednesday night beer can race, which brings out the locals for a fun romp out on Monterey Bay and a barbecue back at Santa Cruz YC. We'll have another report from MISCRW later int he week. Be sure to see our previous report, on Saturday-Sunday's Express 37 regatta, and www.madeinsantacruzraceweek.com.