El Toro Bullship Race victory for Gordy Nash

by Vickie Gilmour on 8 Apr 2013 The 2013 El Toro Bull Ship Race, across San Francisco Bay, from Sausalito to the Marina Green off Golden Gate Yacht Club in 8 ft. El Toro prams, was won by Gordy Nash.

Light drizzle, light winds, and fog initially concealed the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. The start was postponed for one hour, allowing for the passage of outbound container ships and the fog to slightly clear. The hour delay was crucial as a flood tide race turned into an ebb race. Twenty-four Toros started and completed the race. The first Toro finished in 65 minutes. Buzz Blackett, owner skipper of the Pac Cup ocean racer California Condor, an Antrim Class 40, finished second. The finish line was the same one used by the America’s Cup right off the Golden Gate Yacht Club breakwater.

First place was won by Gordie Nash, second place by Buzz Blackett, and third place by Bruce Bradfute – all of them skippers from Richmond Yacht Club.

Vickie Gilmour was the first woman to finish. Bill Moore was the first maiden voyager to finish. Chris Nash claimed the Clyde (heavyweight) award. First woody to finish was James Savattone. John Liebenberg was the oldest to finish. Dennis Silva won the Robinson award for first LMSC skipper to finish. Cinde Lou Delmas won the tail-ender award for last to finish.

The Founder’s Award for distinguished service went to Charles Barthrop. The Cowship service award went to Dick Taylor.

Toni Richardson, ABRA publicist and daughter of ABRA committee perennial the late Bob Cresswell, hosted a picnic lunch that was enjoyed by all after the regatta.

As ever, the regatta was conducted successfully by the ABRA committee named on the Bullship NOR, with welcome participation by the attendant escort Cowships, and under permit issued by the U.S. Coast Guard..

The 2014 Bullship will be held on April 26. Be there!