The 41st Catalina Island Series starts Sat 04 - 12

by Rick Roberts on 6 Apr 2008 A racing tradition, and a great getaway - The 41st annual Catalina Island Series

The entry list continues to grow for the first of the 10-race series in Long Beach Yacht Club's 41st annual Catalina Island Series beginning with the upcoming race to Santa Catalina Island's Long Point on Saturday April 12, racing back on Sunday, April 13.

The series runs from mid-April through mid-October with races to Emerald Bay, Ship Rock, Isthmus Cove and back to Long Point in the Fall.

With five PHRF classes, including a cruising non-spinnaker division, a multihull ORCA class and a Cal 25 class joining the fleet in the September segment of the series, participants look forward to the racing but also the opportunity to get away to the island for a little R and R.

Bill Durant, co-owner with Rick Brizendine of the Santa Cruz 52T, Relentless, last year took first place overall on corrected time honors in PHRF A for the series and has been going to Santa Catalina Island for most of his life.

'I think I was six months old on my first trip,' said Durant. 'When I was a kid, our family went over there up to 40 times a year.'

Although Durant admits they take every race seriously, he said, 'It's not so much the racing as it is the fun and all the things to do on the island. There's always the usual sailing crowd, the great places to eat… a real party atmosphere.'

As in years past, participants can choose their level of participation, whether they want to race the whole series or maybe just two or three weekends.

Originally started in 1967, LBYC was already running several races throughout the year to the island and decided to combine them, creating the Catalina Island Series. Over the 41 years, the tradition of competing in the Catalina Island Series has grown, often with next-generation family members carrying on what their elders started.

Entering the series this year has been made easier with the availability of online entries and sailing instructions www.lbyc.org