Picket fences at Yachting Cup

San Diego, CA (May 4, 2019) – The second day of Yachting Cup was really day one for the majority of the competitors as nine more classes joined the Pac52s and Farr 40s in the ocean today for their first opportunity to place on the scoresheet. This year, only two ocean courses are housing over 70 vessels, making for some tight racing… literally.

Rounding the marks alongside a boat over double his size didn’t bother Jeff Janov, owner of J/70 Minor Threat. “The race committee did a great job keeping things separated as well as they could. We saw some of the boats some of the time, but it never caused a problem. It has the potential of causing tension, but it went well. We picked up a good shift towards the end and our crew did a great job…”

SDYC Waterfront Director Jeff Johnson commented, “It’s challenging for Race Committee because you don’t want a fleet to come downwind and be going through the leeward gate as you’re starting another fleet. Being mindful of how long the course is, how long it takes boats to get to the top mark, and keeping other boats clear is important.”

The conditions on today were similar to day one, with a breeze ranging from 10-12 knots and the sun shining. San Diego’s “May grey” skies burnt off well before the sailors made their way onto the course.

Nearly half of the boats in today’s races kept their position in first place through the entire day. The picket fences belong to Ted Thompson’s Schock 35 Whiplash; Mark Stratton’s Beneteatu 40.7 Lugano, skippered by Michael Dorgan; Neil Frasier’s 1D 35 Mexican Divorce; Bob Pethick’s Rogers 46 Bretwalda3; John Laun’s J/120 caper; and Alec Oberschmidt’s RP50 Staghound.

“We had to manage our course position to stay away from the big wind shadows caused by the TP52s,” noted Dorgan. “We just tried to sail, stay calm, and always be three steps ahead so we knew well in advance what we were doing. We had great teamwork, a great crew on Lugano, and we were blessed to have three firsts today. We got off the line clean, had good clean tacks, and everything was conservative.”

Racing is scheduled for May 3-5, 2019.

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Source: Casey Allocco