(Santa Barbara, CA)- Like their counter-parts down south in San Diego,
the Santa "Barbarians" have their version of a Hot Rum Series that lasts
over three weekends and has also proven to be popular with the locals
and anyone who wants to enjoy some sybaritic sailing in the greater Los
Angeles sailing basin. It's a classic "pursuit-style" event sailing
under PHRF where the small/slower boats start first and biggest/fastest
boats last, whoever crosses the finish line first is declared the
winner. It's a popular format since you get to see all kinds of
friends, whether you're sailing by them or you're watching them sail
past you! 
However,
this year, the fleet was in for a surprise! Not your usual
light-medium airs from the WNW onshore. Instead, over the past two
weekends, the fleet has been treated to powerful Scirocco-like offshore
winds blowing from the NNE ranging from 20 to 40+ knots! These weekends
have been nearly perfect J/105 weather, blowing "dogs off chains" with
the 105 sailors relishing every minute of the windy, puffy conditions. For Hot Rum #2, the J/105s went 1st and 2nd, led by Larry Harteck's REPEAT OFFENDER followed by Ken Kieding's ADVANCE. Mark Noble's J/105 ESCAPADE was 4th and "the little engine that could", the littlest boat in the fleet, Dale Bryers' and Brian Green's J/22 MISBEHAVING snagged a 5th! And, rising up to the challenge was none other than Dr. Laura Schlessinger on her J/100 PERFECT, having a near perfect day and at least finishing in the spectacular conditions in 6th. More than half the 30-odd boat fleet retired due to torn sails, bruised egos or broken equipment (or all of the above).
On
the final weekend of racing for Hot Rum #3, the J/105s again went 1st
and 2nd in just as windy conditions as the previous weekend, winds
howling offshore from the NNE blowing 20-35 kts-- perfect J/105 weather
again! Repeating again as Captain Bligh mercilessly driving his crew to
"trim that gosh darn sail again-- faster" was Larry's gang on REPEAT
OFFENDER (pictured at right), followed closely by Ken's crowd on
ADVANCE. In that order, the J/105s took first and second for the
series. Fifth in the last race was Mark's ESCAPADE, enabling them to
grab 4th for the series. Other than their slow start on the first
weekend of racing Hot Rum #1 (a hard-to-swallow 17th in a no-toss
series), Byers and Green on their J/22 MISBEHAVING could easily have
been the spoiler in the whole event, notching a 6th place on the last
day to climb into 7th for the series. Other notable performances came
from the bright red J/145 RADIO FLYER sailed by Carolyn Parks (Dr
Laura's old boat), getting a 5th on the first weekend and Larry
Leveille's perennial champion J/29 RUSH STREET hanging tough with fellow
29 footer, the J/92 BLUES CREWS sailed by David Baxter, finishing 9th
and 11th respectively.Kudos to the race "survivors" and the winners. As one person describes it, "it was a great trophy party, great food and lots of free rum for all whom could make it to the bar." For more Santa Barbara Hot Rum Series sailing information
