The 2018 I-14 Worlds recently concluded in Richmond, CA. The event was sailed on the Berkley Circle of San Fransisco Bay, northeast of Alcatraz Island and southeast of Angel Island in the slot where the breeze blows in from the Golden Gate. It was typical San Fransisco weather with usual early morning fog clearing to nice clear blue skies for the most part. As predicted the first several days of racing were 15-20 with a few of those days toping out around 25 kts. The ‘Circle’ is very shallow so the wind driven waves stack up quickly, add a little ebb tide against or across the wind direction and it starts to make for sharp, short chop. We never really saw the full fury of a 25+ kt. against tide day, which most defiantly would have broken more boats and spirits. There were 62 boats registered from AUS, CAN, GBR, GER, ITA, and USA. A smaller fleet than usual I-14 Worlds, I think the predicted breeze kept some boats away. As usual, there were lots of good times seeing and catching up with old friends and making new from around the world who love to sail these high performance skiffs.
After a hard fought week of sailing, and an intense medal race series this afternoon the San Diego Yacht Club team wins the 2018 Resolute Cup! As the 2018 champions, the San Diego Yacht Club team also earns an spot on the starting line at the 2019 Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational.
Dave Perry is known all around the country as an expert on the racing rules of sailing and as a Match Racing guru, having won the US Match Racing Championship 5 times. He has written books on both Match Racing and racing rules. Dave is a member of the Sailing World Hall of Fame and has dedicated much of his career volunteering with US Sailing, currently serving on its Board of Directors. He is a true ambassador for our sport and we are honored to have him with us at San Diego Yacht Club this weekend.
It was all smiles for the 330+ sailors who visited San Diego Yacht Club from all over San Diego, Dana Point, Newport Beach, and as far away as Los Angeles and Mexico City Sept. 8-9 for what has become one of the most popular regattas in Southern California. In fact, at 48 boats, organizers Barrett Canfield and Rick Day of South Coast Yachts think their formula for the regatta has made this Beneteau Cup the largest in the world. Even Mt. Gay came in as a sponsor this year, with their famous red regatta ball caps.
Professional Sailor and Point Loma High School Coach Steve Hunt joins us for the second episode of the San Diego Sailcast from the Cupola. Steve talks about his life growing up on the east coast, how he ended up in San Diego, coaching the best high school team in the country, and winning Etchells World Championships from the start of his Etchells sailing careet. His coaching philosophy translates from high school sailors to adults and Steve describes how his teams teach each other from within to raise their collective bar.