Wednesday, September 1, 2010

JAM SESSION Pounds Sarcoma Cup

J/105s one-design sailboat- sailing in San Francisco Bay under spinnaker

(San Francisco, CA)- The Sarcoma Cup is an annual sailing regatta that benefits the non-profit BeatSarcoma, Inc., which raises money for Sarcoma research. This year's event was held in San Francisco's central bay (between Berkeley/Treasure Island/Angel Island).  And, as anyone in the fleet could've hoped for, the fleet was treated to two classic "nuclear" days on the Bay-- clear skies, puffy white clouds, blowing dogs off chains, white caps everywhere.

As one person observed for Latitude 38, "if you were out on the Bay this weekend, you know that someone turned on the fan. While Saturday's forecast was for a sedate 15-18 knots, if you were on the water after about 8:00 a.m., you know that it didn't take long for that prediction to prove short by about half. With sun and a relatively warm breeze that reached the low-30s near the Gate, it was a good day to tuck in a reef and wear just about every item of clothing you brought to the boat."

J/105 one-design sailboat- approaching windward markA venue change didn't hurt the third edition of the Sarcoma Cup, which drew an impressive fleet of boats to Berkeley YC. Split between six one design and two PHRF divisions, 67 boats showed up for Saturday's buoy racing. The J/105 fleet led the charge, drawing 19 boats. With the breeze a little lighter than the 30-plus knots seen in the slot closer to the Gate, there weren't a whole lot of letter scores in the results.

After the boats hit the dock and the sailing gear was hung out to dry, it was time for the aprés sail. With a kegs and wine providing the lubricity, those who didn't end up in an ambulatory food coma after the dinner spread put out by the club hit the dance floor for some shake 'n bake to live music — and even a karaoke performance by a J/105 sailor who will go unnamed. There was a silent auction and chair massages for the weary, and probably more than a few bleary-eyed sailors who showed up for Sunday's pursuit race — the J/105s sailed another day of buoy racing.

Adam Spiegel's JAM SESSION took the J/105 division with an impressive score of 1-1-2-2-3 for nine points, well clear of Bruce Stone's ARBITRAGE in second with fourteen points.  Third was Phil Laby and Richard Pipkin's RACER X, fourth Scooter Simmons on BLACKHAWK and fifth John Horsch sailing BUSINESS TIME.  For more Sarcoma Cup Sailig information.    Sailing Photo Credits- Heike Schwab