March 24, 2014

While most racing on the Bay happens on Saturdays, Sunday is often reserved for the more friendly type of racing, sort of like going for a daysail with competition. Sausalito Yacht Club has resurrected such an event with the Jaws Pursuit Race starting and finishing off the clubhouse deck with a tour of the Central Bay. The marks in yesterday's race were Little Harding buoy, R4 (one mile E of Pt. Blunt), and Blossom Rock near Pier 39.

Sunday was fog-free. This is Sausalito YC before the race start. ©2014 norcalsailing.com

The J/105 Hazardous Waste, Hanse 342 Grey Ghost, and Yankee 30 Jam Jam in the Richardson Bay starting area. ©2014 norcalsailing.com

Since it's a pursuit race the slow boats started first, and the first off the line was Sally Clapper's Cal 20 Just Em at 12:05, with a slack going to flood current. After that the speed challenged boats started in a proper manner until the wind shut down for the middle of the rating pack and stayed light for the rest of the fleet's starts, while the flood built and dragged several boats into the starting pin, a fortunately soft inflatable mark. One unfortunate boat even got tangled up in the mark's tackle.

Sally and the girls on the Cal 20 Just Em make their run at the start. ©2014 norcalsailing.com

Casual rail riding on the Beneteau 350 French Kiss. ©2014 norcalsailing.com

So much for a pursuit when boats were struggling to even start. The wind slowdown caused a drag race between fast and not so fast boats all the way to Little Harding, where they set off on a fun downwind romp in 15-18 knots of ocean breeze. Once around Blossom Rock it was a two-tack beat to the finish, with flood tide affecting strategy, and many of the fleet tacking over towards Alcatraz for current relief before crossing the Slot.

Rounding Blossom Rock. ©2014 norcalsailing.com

The powerboat, Beautiful Girl, which won the Predicted Log Race was motored by a gang from Corinthian YC. They claimed they entered that division because they had a better chance to win it – they were the only ones who raced! Nicolas Popp's Jeanneau SunFast Dare Dare from Sequoia YC won the spinnaker division, and Julle LeVicki's Hanse 370 MIn Flicka, another CYC-flagged entry, won the non-spinnaker division. Back at the club, everyone who finished received a medal, and all enjoyed a fine spread of tasty hors d'oeuvres and free beer.

SYC's Dave Borton and Nick Sands check over the results before announcing the awards. ©2014 norcalsailing.com

SYC volunteer Temple Stuart gave Predicted Log Race winner Allyn Schafer his medal. ©2014 norcalsailing.com

Man bites shark. ©2014 norcalsailing.com

The Jaws race was brought back from the dead two years ago by SYC member Bud Livingston and is proving to be a great way to shake out the winter cobwebs with a blast of springtime. " It's been a wonderful turnout and I hope to do this every year," said Bud.

The 'podium' had teeth. This is Randy Grenier from the second place non-spinnaker boat, the Newport 30 III La Mer. ©2014 norcalsailing.com

Full results should be posted soon at www.sausalitoyachtclub.org.