2008 Harken #2 SFYC.

This weekend was the 2nd Harken Regatta in the 2008 series and the first one in Northern California. The San Francisco Yacht Club (SFYC) hosted the regatta. The first race started with a light breeze from the south. There were about 35 optis on the line for the Championship Fleet with boats from all over California. What little wind was there died – a lot of boats got a DNF (did not finish). They decided to hand out lunches early to wait for the wind to come up. While we were eating everyone saw big wind coming from the North West. Once it filled in it was a strong 15 knots. During the second race the wind continued to build to 20 or more. And the temperature was unusually cold. I had trouble controlling my boat downwind – I submarined. I tried to sail and bail but it was hard to keep up. I managed to finish the race.

The next few races the wind picked up even more. By this time about 5 boats had dropped out. I hung in there but, I was getting cold. By the 4th race I was getting pretty tired. Then it happened. I was coming up to the jibe mark. Just as I jibed a gust came and flipped my opti over. I got my boat up and started bailing. A lot of boats passed me but as I finished bailing I realized I still had 3 boats behind me. I rounded the leeward mark and caught up to the fleet and finished the race. Even though I was cold and wet I felt pretty good. But, I had one more race to go. The last race I figured out how to handle the jibe. The wind was howling – it was stronger than at the last heavy weather regatta on city front.

The second day of the regatta started with no wind once again. As soon as the wind picked up it started to gust over 20. It was another exciting day sailing Optis on the Bay! Most of the kids were more prepared for the wind so everyone handled the wind better and there were fewer capsizes. The reaching legs were really fun because it was windy enough we could surf on the white caps. By the end of the second day it was even windier than the first. We all had a wild sail back to the yacht club. I’m looking forward to the next Harken regatta!

- Submitted by Alex Moody, SFYC, White Fleet, 4/20/2008

Championship Fleet Results

Green Fleet Results Soon Pictures soon!