Pecking order forms at Yachting Cup

San Diego, CA (May 1, 2021) – After being cancelled last year due to the pandemic, the 2021 Yachting Cup was back with 48 teams in 7 classes for the opening day, with conditions on both the “far” and “near” ocean courses found to be shifty at about 225 degrees, seeing sporadic puffs from 5 to 11 knots.

Beginning with a short postponement while the breeze filled in, the light conditions were welcomed by Ed Sanford’s Creative, the J/111 that finished first in the PHRF-C class. “The conditions were perfect for the boat, especially when it hit around 8-10 knots. However, we did have to steer through the waves and it was challenging going upwind to port.”

The third race for the PHRF classes finished with a 6-mile race home. “The first and third race for us were pretty much flawless,” added Sanford. “Coming down the channel in the last race was challenging, but perfect once we got past Ballast Point. The kite was pulling like you couldn’t believe and we just started gaining distance on the 44.7 (Aeolos).”

Creative was one of five boats to be dual scored PHRF and ORC, and they lead their classes in both scoring formats.

While winds might have been shifty on the course, the results stayed very consistent. Mick Schlens’ Blade 2 (PHRF-B) finished the day with three bullets, taking first; Mark Stratton’s Lugano (B40.7) stands in first with a 1, 3, 1; Chick Pyle’s Kea (B36.7) is in first with a 1, 1, 2; Alec Oberschmidt’s Staghound (PHRF-A) holds first with a 2, 2, 1; and Stewart Cannon’s J-OK stands first with a 2, 1, 1.

Cannon has owned his J/105 J-OK for over 20 years. His crew has been sailing together for some time and they all rely on a full team effort for success.

“We really enjoyed ourselves out there,” stated Cannon while his team chimed in. Crew Ryan Lorence added, “We spent all day going the way we thought it was going to go, and it went the opposite, but luckily we were able to get through. We had to switch gears and change some jibs but we had a pretty good day.”

Post-racing, competitors were invited to take to-go cocktails back to their boats and enjoy live music by StylusOverhaul. Tomorrow, they will reconvene back on the courses for an 1130 warning signal followed by a full day of racing before receiving awards.

Event details – Results – Photos

Source: SDYC