The ORCA Bowl was donated by several Fleet 13 founding members in 1985 and was a pivotal point in the growth of the Etchells class here in San Diego. The seven original fleet members (led by Bill Munster, Mark Meihle, Peter Rodi, and Fred Frye) fashioned a trophy rumored to be part silver and part whale. Winners of the inaugural event were Norm and Jim Reynolds in hull #295, and since that time the trophy has collected some well-known names including Buddy Melges, Peter Isler, Tim Hogan, Bruce Nelson, Dennis Conner, Andy La Dow, Vince Brun, Bruce Golison, Brian Camet and Bill Hardesty.
We are looking forward to a great turnout. Registration volunteers will be in the Jessop Room Friday evening from 5:00 to 7:00pm and Saturday morning from 8:00 to 9:00am, before the Skipper’s meeting.
This regatta will be the fourth and final leg of the West Coast Series that Tom Carruthers has inaugurated this year. If you get a chance, please thank him for all his efforts in putting this great series together. Trophy presentations will be held on Sunday afternoon on the front deck at SDYC.
As is the Fleet 13 tradition, Kjeld Hestehave will be manning the barbecue Saturday evening for the ORCA Bowl Barbecue starting at 6:00pm in the SDYC Pavilion area. In addition to registered crew, spouses, significant others and friends of the Fleet are welcome to attend. Kjeld will be providing the trip-tip sirloin and some beverages. We would ask that fleet members please contribute by bringing a side dish to the barbecue. Suggestions include green salads, potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans, corn, fried or mashed potatoes - you get the idea. Some dessert items would also be welcomed.
As of Thursday morning, Sail Flow is forecasting a significant weather front coming through the San Diego area starting this afternoon and evening bringing rain and high winds. The period of highest intensity looks to be Friday afternoon at around 2pm (20 to 24 knots), followed by decreasing winds. You may want to keep this in mind when considering when to launch your boat. Saturday and Sunday afternoons look to have excellent conditions with winds predicted at 10 to 14 knots out of the west.
Best of luck to everyone - we look forward to seeing you Saturday evening!