January 21, 2014

Sequoia Yacht Club continued its Redwood Cup Series on Saturday, January 18, with race #3. This is a five-race series that is run in pursuit format, where each boat's start time is based on its PHRF. In spite of the prediction for light winds, 18 boats turned out for winter racing on the South Bay. Fleet Captains Kathy Conte and Cathy Moyer called a course of 5.44 miles based on the expectation of a light-wind race.

The Santana 3030 Pizote and Wilderness 30 Wildy work their way out of the Port of Redwood City. ©2014 Cathy Moyer

The first boats attempted to cross the start line just after 13:30, desperately looking for any sign that might indicate a whisper of wind. The left side of the channel offered what little wind there was, and thanks to a building ebb current out the channel, progress was made along the course. The wind stayed light all day long, with a maximum of 8-9 knots mid-afternoon.

And they call this winter? ©2014 Cathy Moyer

The key to success was rounding the windward mark early and popping the spinnaker to get back to to the finish. The second half of the race was a run back down the channel, and the building ebb soon became a big factor.

The Express 27 Magic and Olson 25 Knot to Worry on the run back against the current. ©2014 Fabian Pease

Many were treated to a colorful view of the low winter sun lighting the spinnakers of the lead boats, but as the afternoon came to a close many of the slower boats lowered their sails and motored back to the marina.

The J/29 L2O. ©2014 Fabian Pease

Enough wind came up to keep these spinnakers full. ©2014 Fabian Pease

Congratulations to Head Rush (Charlie Watt, Antrim 27) for taking first place, and to Wildy (Jenny Thompson, Wilderness 30) and Relentless (Tracy Rogers, J/92) for taking second and third place respectively. For results and more, see www.sequoiayc.org.

Head Rush's crew seems to be asking, "Where's the wind?" ©2014 Cathy Moyer

The next Redwood Cup Race will be on Saturday, February 22.

– Tim Petersen, Sequoia YC