The annual Long Point Race Week once again lived up to its growing reputation as one of the best big boat events in Southern California. This three-day race once again sold out as competitors came from San Diego and San Francisco last weekend to enjoy great sailing weather and two great days of post-race socializing on the Catalina beaches near Long Point (for non-sailors, this is somewhat like where fishermen get together at the end of the day to talk about the fish they let get away).
This year’s Long Point event attracted about 30 of the top racing boats in California. Wind was steady all weekend with many boats fetching Long Point on the way across without tacking up the beach (hardly a tack all weekend).
As at this year’s Transpac, Ed McDowell was the ORR Class A and overall winner in his Santa Cruz 70, Grand Illusion. Once again there is a lot of talent in this boat’s veteran crew.
Other top finishers included Per Peterson’s Alchemy in second; Dr. Laura Schlessinger in her new Kiernan 49, Katana, in third; and Tom Parker’s Taxi Dancer in fourth. Craig Cadelader, sailing Don Haskell’s classic S&S 67, Chubasco, was the top local boat, finishing fifth overall.
Other local boats in the top 10 included the Richey family’s Amante in 8th, Paul Stemler’s Patriot in 9th, and BYC’s It’s OK (Tres Gordo Racing) in 10th.
Other notable class winners were Viggo Torbensen winning ORR Class B in Timeshaver, and BYC’s Alan and Molly Lynch in Doubletime winning the PHRF Class.
Photos by Bronny Daniels/Joysailing.com
Upcoming Racing
Sept. 3: Long Beach to Dana Point (CBYC and DPYC) – Fun race from Long Beach to Dana Point usually attracts a solid fleet of local offshore racers.
Sept. 4: Winter Series #1 (Harbor 20, Finn, Lehman 12) – NHYC kicks off their fall/winter sailing season with this fun afternoon bay race. Open to other classes with 5 or more entries.
Sept. 10: BYC Little Old Ladies Regatta (Senior Sabots)
Sept. 10-11: Fall Gold Cup (Junior Sabots, Lasers, CFJ’s, 420s) – This NHYC regatta is also kick-off event for Frost and Shadden “High Point” Series (Junior Sailing).
Sept. 11-18 – New York Yacht Club Invitational (NYYC, Newport RI) – Newport Harbor Yacht Club earned the right to race in New York Yacht Club’s inaugural invitation regatta to be sailed next month in identical Swan 42s. This invitational event is expected to attract about 20 top club teams from the US and internationally. The NHYC team will be led by Jim Madden, and includes Payson Infelese who skippered the NHYC boat in the event qualifier.
