PV09 Series- Kicking back where whales play and fish are biting

by Rich Roberts on 7 Feb 2009
The fleet was anchored in Santa Maria Bay Friday after Race 2 of Del Rey Yacht Club's PV09 International Race Series to Puerto Vallarta, presented by Corum Swiss Timepieces.

Some went looking for the whales migrating into nearby Magdalena Bay, while others tried their luck fishing from pangas and found the yellowtail biting.

This is the other part of what the event is about for competitors like Jim Maslon, whose Jeanneau 49, Jungle Jim, was the fourth of 14 boats to finish late Thursday night. Final results involving handicaps and engine use hours were still being calculated as the sailors kicked back.

But Maslon, sailing his fourth race to Mexico with a crew of nine, has found it a way to get away from worldly worries like economic recessions and such.

'It's just a fantastic trip,' Maslon said. 'You see the stars at night, and if you're lucky you see the whales at Mag Bay. You get into a mood where you don't think about anything but sailing.'

Carl Marusak, M.D., a doctor and like Maslon a member of Del Rey YC, is sailing his Beneteau 49, Lumiere, with his son Greg, also a doctor, and grandson Hunter, 14, and enjoying every minute of it, despite a lack of fresh breeze.

'We're just enjoying the ride,' Marusak said. 'This is our first time to sail offshore, other than sailing to [Santa] Catalina [Island 22 miles offshore from Los Angeles].'

The wimpy wind, which had been grinding the racers' nerves from the start, actually increased to as much as 15 knots from northwest, building hopes for a livelier Race 3 to Puerto Los Cabos starting Saturday at 1 p.m. PST, following a highly anticipated party on Magdalena Island Friday night.

Dare, a Beck 60 sailed by Bob Kettenhofen, was once again the first boat to finish at about 10:25 p.m. Thursday, although its official time was temporarily unavailable. Apparently, instead of checking in after soon after crossing the line, the weary crew dropped anchor and hit the bunks.

Otherwise, Jim Puckett's Farr 55, Amazing Grace, showed the fastest average time for Race 2 from Turtle Bay: a modest 6.15 knots.

The final legs will be 152 n.m. to Puerto Los Cabos at the tip of the Baja peninsula and the last 286 n.m. across the Gulf of California to Puerto Vallarta on the mainland.

CORUM is an independent, family owned company producing high-quality and prestigious Swiss watches since 1955. The Admiral’s Cup collection, along with the complete CORUM line, may be seen at www.CORUM.ch

Position reports - As of 8 a.m. Friday

Spinnaker-A
Amazing Grace (Farr 55), James Puckett, Del Rey YC, avg. speed 6.15 knots/finished Thursday 22:45:16 hours.
Carmagnole (Beneteau First 45), Dan Howard, DRYC, 6.01k/Thurs. 23:35:30.
Dare (Beck 60), Bob Kettenhofen, Balboa YC, finished Thurs. approx. 22:25:00 hours, no official report.
Felícita (J/120), Perry Peters, Arizona YC, Phoenix, 5.37k/Fri. 03:59.16.

Spinnaker-B
Barking Spider (Catalina 36 MK2), David Kory, Point Richmond, Calif., 5.66k/Fri. 01:53:15.
Jungle Jim (Jeanneau 49), Jim Maslon, DRYC, 6:01k/Thurs. 23:35:14.
Rose of Sharon (Burgess 59), Byron K. Chamberlain, Newport Harbor YC, 5.01k/Thurs. 23:36:51.
Tranquility (Beneteau First 40.7, Max Lynn, Santa Barbara YC, (withdrawn).

Non-Spinnaker-A
Artsea (Grand Soliel 45), Marty Laffer, DRYC, no report.
Blue Note (Beneteau 473), Kevin & Rhonda Wixom, Mission Bay YC, 5.86k/Fri. 00:40:56.
Defiance (Swan 56), Peter Noonan, St. Francis YC, 6.18k/Thurs. 22:45:46.
Lumiere (Beneteau 49), Carl Marusak, MD, DRYC, 5.79k/Fri. 01:08:41.
Transformer (Beneteau 49), Joel Young, So. Bay Yacht Racing, 5.93k/Fri. 00:14:55.

Non-Spinnaker-B
G-Rated (Catalina 42 MK2), Sid and Mark Lampert, DRYC, 5.28k/Fri. 04:49:47.
Rhiannon (Peterson 44), Bill & Stacy Tarr, DRYC, 4.85k/Fri. 08:29:00.

Complete report click here

Race 1 results click here

Race history click here