The 2017 C420 National Championship was hosted by Wianno YC all the way out in Cape Cod. For the first time in a while, this event was to be the last event in the Triple Crown and the last regatta of the summer. Knowing that all of the top people could be tired after two weeks of nonstop sailing helped our mindset before the event.
On August 8th, my mom and I flew out of San Diego to Boston Logan and met up with my crew Tanner. We then drove 1 hour and a half to a little town on the Cape called Barnstable. I have previously been to this part of the Cape to visit my brother who has taught sailing there for the past two years. We got to our hotel late into the night and were able to fall asleep peacefully. The next day we drove twenty minutes to Wianno YC and set up our charter boat as well as a small practice built in.
Thanks very much for supporting me and my crew Madeleine Mcgrath at the 2017 Snipe World Championships. The regatta was very windy, with big waves at a very tight interval. The conditions were very different than anything we have in Southern California or most of the United States.
I felt our boat speed was very good in the practice days. The practice days were about 14 to 18 knots. This was the first Worlds I ever sailed in where the fleet was split in two, a gold and silver based on a two day four race qualifying series. The gold fleet racing was 3 days and a total of 6 races including your qualifying score. The 3 days were by far the windiest days of the regatta. The first day was the lightest about 15 knots, but the last two days were in the lower 20s.
San Diego Yacht Club will host the 2017 Finn Pacific Coast Championship (PCC) for the fourth consecutive year on September 16 & 17. The event chair and SDYC’s Vice Commodore, Mike Dorgan, is expecting upwards of 20 competitors from Southern California to race over the weekend.
The SDYC Finn fleet has grown from 3 to 12 sailors over the past year. A major attraction of the Finn fleet that has helped fuel this growth is the need for a single-handed, easy-to-sail race boat without the stress of acquiring crew for races. Plus, the Finn boats are more closely matched and racing is quite literally man vs. man.
The J/22 Fleet Summer Beer can series finished up on Wednesday 8/30, with 56 races completed, 3 to 5 short races over 14 Wednesday evenings. All fun, no spinnakers. Usually 4 to 6 boats (7 max) raced in La Playa and then enjoyed refreshments and sea stories on the dock after racing! Jim Dorsey and Sue Djikman win the series. Ben Nieting was 2nd and Joey Richardson was 3rd. Julie Mitchell was 4th. Prizes were handed after the last race!
Proving that Beneteaus are not just for cruising, San Diego Yacht Club will host the 14th annual Beneteau Cup for 36.7 one design racing, First series, and Cruising class racing on September 9 & 10. Additionally, the weekend will serve as the West Coast Championship for the 36.7’s. This unique event brings together sailors from all over Southern California, with some traveling from as far away as Arizona and Texas to race.
Event organizers Rick Day and Barrett Canfield refocused the event in 2010 to include an educational component for those participants who are new to racing or those who want to refresh their skills. South Coast Yachts and UK Sails plan to provide classroom training sessions on Friday, September 8th for those competitors interested in learning about the basics of sailing. This session provides a valuable overview of the race course, what to do at the starting line, and advice on mark roundings, among other things.