El Toro fleet tackles San Francisco Bay in 61st Bullship Race

John Amen might have dodged an outbound tanker but could not hold off Fred “The Deacon” Paxton who won the 61st annual Bullship Race on April 26, 2014.

This was Fred’s first win after at least 20 years of trying. Poor Fred once even got beaten by his son Will, a noted sailmaker. Amen, who has previously won this event, was this year’s Almirante (in charge of the Bullship), and was runner up.

The race is for 7’11” El Toros. The course is from Sausalito across the Golden Gate to the San Francisco Marina.

The 21 entrants enjoyed a light easterly and hugged the Marin County shore to avoid a flood tide. About midway the strong flood in the Gate became an asset propelling them toward the finish. Thereafter a dramatic Westerly fill made a for a quick ride to the Marina Green finish line.

In what was billed as a family oriented event back in 1952, the awards were presented by endowed ecdysiast, Tempest Storm.

Additional information: http://www.eltoroyra.org/Regatta-Info/regattas2014/2014%20Bullship%20Results.pdf

Report by John Dukat