New York Invasion Eclipses Californians!(San Francisco, CA)- Hosted by the oldest yachting organization on the West Coast (perhaps even oldest west of the Mississippi River!), the gorgeous San Francisco YC in Belvedere, CA ensured the J/120 fleet in attendance for the J/120 North American Championships were well taken care of, most especially with some awesome racing on San Francisco Bay.
The sailors were not disappointed, with two good days of racing, the local "townies" were having to contend with a strong contingent of "out-of-towners" that were learning the Bay's capricious ways quite radically fast. Remarkably, a bunch of New Yorkers decided to head West and have some fun sailing in the gorgeous San Francisco Bay, renowned for nuclear wind conditions in the middle of summer where it's quite possible to get hypothermia sitting on the weather rail in a bikini or simple bathing suit! Sunny it is, but those cold waters from the Japanese Current whistling down the West Coast, and drawn into the Bay each day (at a steady 3-5 knots!), just ensure those un-initiated sailors that it really can be damn cold in the Bay in August (wind chill can easily hit in the 30s F!). Nevertheless, undaunted and totally un-intimidated, the New York team of David Halliwill from Center Island, NY sailed their magnificent bird PEREGRINE to a remarkable 3-3-1-1-1 for a total of 9 pts to win by seven points! Fast bird she was, eh?!
Holding up the fort for the local boys was John Wimmer's DESDEMONA sailing to a 4-1-6-3-2 for 16 pts to secure second overall. Just off the pace behind them was Steve Madeira's team on MR MAGOO sailing for Downeast Maine's Northeast Harbor Fleet, sailing to a 2-5-4-4-3 tally for 18 pts to get third overall.
Commenting on San Francisco Bay's conditions, John said "Winds were between 10 and 22 knots over the course of each day, with Sunday showing earlier and stronger breeze build, it was fabulous sailing."
For those of you interested in some great, college-style, close big-boat racing, you can't beat this fleet. Of course, the J/105 guys will argue their case, but the J/120s are certainly having a lot of fun in the Bay. There is a J/120 available for charter if you and your crew would like a change of venue. Please contact John Wimer at JohnSWimer@att.net if interested!! Go for it, you won't be disappointed. Still time to sail in the Rolex Big Boat Series! For more J/120 NA's sailing information.
