San Francisco, California, 19 August 2011 – Article, courtesy of Tom Rankin, Tactician, USA 24 Smokin - 04.30, alarm clock screams and my dog "Dude" jumps up looking like he's been neutered – again. I know, I tell him. Too early for work and too late for a ski trip. But perfect for a long delivery of Smokin'across San Francisco Bay. I meet Kevin at 06.00 and get in line behind the Jenny Sue, his beautiful trawler and our home for this 3 day voyage. Fog shrouded bay bridge, SF to the left, Berkeley to the right. Nothing could be better. As the sun rises and fails to break through the early morning mist, we pass Alcatraz, the Golden Gate and finally wrap ourselves around the east side of Angel Island, very aptly named with its halo of fog and scenic vistas looking in 4 directions.
09.30 walking and talking the dock I hear crews complain "we're 30 pounds under", "50 pounds under," "60 pounds under" and finally "100 pounds under" weight. I feel better about our being 40 under. All is fair in weekday sailboat racing. Efficient and clean skippers meeting gets us heading to the course with high hopes and butterfly bellies.
The race course situated on the Berkeley Circle - Eastern San Francisco Bay. World famous for strong Westerlies, short chop and screaming downwind legs. But today is different, a strong Southerly breeze is blowing and puffs are dropping off the shores of Treasure Island, First gun goes off and a drag race ensues to get to the puffy and lifting left side. Top boats includeAmerican Lady, Lounge Act, Smokin and Average White Boat. Close behind is Full Throttle who after setting, takes an early gybe and absolutely lights it up. High and hard they drive over several boats and hit the left corner, quick gybe and SEND IT. Completing the around the world speed burn to move up five boats into 1st at the leeward mark. Simultaneously 12 other boats said "Where the F*** did that come from?" Lesson learned – find the breeze and stay in the breeze downwind. Back up wind and then downwind again to the finish line all boats trade tacks and gybes. Mostly working the left side upwind and chasing wind lines downwind. First 6 boats finish within seconds of each other.
Race two still has the Southerly but is beginning to clock West. Question: do you hunt the southerly puffs and lifts or do you anticipate more righty (Westerly) as the day progresses? Most boats head right with a few still working lefty puffs. Seadon on American Lady later states "it was a very unusual SF day and we had to work middle left puffs and start moving right." At the top end the right begins to show life. The breeze moderates a bit mid race and Average White Boat has speed, height and style as they lead and protect all the around. A well earned bullet in unusually variable conditions.
Race SFYC PRO Bartz Schneider decided the fleet needed an upwind finish but sympathetically shortened the weather leg to a more manageable distance. The breeze continues its Westward migration and builds to a steady 18-20 knots and 2-3 foot chop.
Race 3 sees most boats flopping early right with an eye on that clocking Westerly. Several, including American Lady, and Smokin get trapped going far left. At the top end both sides come in pretty even and the weather mark rounding has many ducks, shouts and near misses. But everyone rounds cleanly as the building breeze is pushing skill sets, focus and courage. First leeward mark sees Average White Boat killing it and leading into the gate with at least a 10 boat lead, only to spin out right in front of American Lady and nearly taking out the next 3 boats. On Smokin we probably didn’t soak enough for the drop (my bad) and end up with the kite skimming the surface and just teasing us with a shrimping. Fortunately, quick crew work pulls it into the boat to avoid complete disaster (queue dramatic background music). Rounding the right gate all alone and struggling to pack the chute back into the bag, we head left. American Lady leads around the course, sitting on top of Lounge Act and allowing others to work their way back into the race. Our lefty pays off and we hike hard and fight our way back into the top group. Their battle rages on until an upwind finish mercifully ends a very hard but rewarding day for all.
Dockside, laughter, handshakes and stories of wipeouts and carnage are mixed with questions of rig tension, favored side and currents ending a beautiful day on one of the most scenic adult playgrounds ever imagined or created. Melges provided a free beer stand and SFYC had a fresh sushi bar and separate taco bar. Crews fade into the dark seeking night life at local hangouts and habitats. Hopefully, tomorrows dock walk will bring out the more adventurous and embarrassing stories.
Many thanks to our host for the weekend, The San Francisco Yacht Club, and to all the boats who traveled from across California and beyond. Special thanks to our sponsors:
Coral Reef Sailing Apparel
Melges Performance Sailboats
North Sails One Design
Sailing Anarchy
Trumer Pils
Velocitek
Weather Routing Inc.
Next up: SFYC Leukemia Cup, 2 October.
RESULTS – DAY ONE
SFYC San Francisco Melges Race Week 2011. Top Five (16 Boats).
1. NOR 632 American Lady, Wijsen/ Notto - 2, 2, 1 = 5
2. USA 449 Full Throttle, David Joyner - 1, 3, 5 = 9
3. USA 556 Lounge Act, Loren Colahan - 5, 5, 2 = 12
4. USA 24 Smokin’, Kevin Clark - 3, 6, 3 = 12
5. USA 303 Average White Boat, Kent Pierce - 4, 1, 11 = 16
View Full Results