The third and final day of the 2017 Yachting Cup concluded today with a change of course due to more atypical San Diego weather. Race Committee decided early this morning to change all courses from the ocean to inside the San Diego Bay where waters were much calmer.
All of the boats that sailed in Saturday's Near Roads course sailed in the South Bay and all the boats that sailed in the Middle and Far Roads courses sailed in the North Bay. All of the fleets sailed course 1 which was 7.28nm except the Pac52s and the Division AA boats. These bigger boats sailed course 2 which totaled 10.53nm.
The breeze was on for the second day of the 2017 Yachting Cup! It was a busy and challenging day of racing, with almost 100 boats competing on three courses in the ocean. Following today, the Yachting Cup will conclude Sunday with racing on the same three ocean course venues.
With the breeze hovering around 15-20 knots, it was certainly a windy day on the San Diego ocean. Coupled with 3-5 foot swells that were frequent and close together, it was a lumpy and bumpy ride out there. And if that's not enough, there was a sprinkling of rain showers every so often just to keep the sailors on their toes. Several competitors claimed the conditions reminded them of a typical day of sailing in San Francisco Bay.
Day one of the 2017 Yachting Cup wrapped up early this evening after an exciting day on the water. With gray skies and temperatures in the mid-60s, racing occurred in the ocean and in San Diego Bay. The Yachting Cup will continue on Saturday and Sunday with racing on three ocean course venues each day.
While the rest of the city was out celebrating Cinco de Mayo, the Pac52s were celebrating their inaugural race as a Class out on the ocean course. Four boats (Fox, Invisible Hand, Rio, and Bad Pak) competed in three races on an especially long course, each leg measuring 1.7nm. After a slight postponement while the wind picked up, racing began at noon in about 10 knots of wind.
The Baldwin Cup is considered to be one of Newport Harbor Yacht Clubs premier events of the year. NHYC spares no expense. The moorings are dropped, the harbor is cleared out, and extra docks are put in for additional spectating. It is the true idea of what arena sailing should be.
On April 29 and 30, over 20 boats raced in Coronado Roads for the Etchells Pacific Coast Championship (Etchells PCC) hosted by San Diego Yacht Club. Following the NOOD Regatta and the Etchells Midwinters, the Pacific Coast Championship was the third event in the Etchells West Coast Spring Series. Over 2 days of racing, the Race Committee ran 8 races, using one as a throw out score.
Happy 132nd Opening Day to all SDYC members and families. Check out the photo gallery from the weekend, photos courtesy of Cynthia Sinclair.
OPENING DAY PHOTO GALLERY | OPENING DAY DINNER DANCE PHOTO GALLERY