SANTA BARBARA TO KING HARBOR 2009

A one-design start and consistent wind made for great racing with all the Farr 40′s being finished with a few minutes of 10pm. A real battle to the island was fought between Piranha, Far Niente and Temptress with all three on the very edge of wiping out tight reaching with spinnakers in 14-16 knots of wind. Unlike last year’s drift toward Anacapa, it was less than three hours to the island and a quick transit out the back with solid breeze down the backside. The was picture postcard perfect with 14-17 knots of wind, dolphins running like crazy and sunny warm weather leading into Santa Monica Bay. Basically there were no passing lanes and the boats followed as Piranha extended her lead to a couple miles.

Once bouncing off Point Dume, Temptress chose to stay out and Far Niente went in leaving Piranha in a quandary as to who to cover as the marine layer started rolling in. Down the middle allowed Far Niente to benefit from a big shift and close to within several boatlengths, but Piranha just covered close to leeward and ran them out of race course. The pleasant surprise was mostly double digit wind all the way to the finish! If you didn’t go, you missed two great years in a row!