Flying Tiger 10's - Pacific Coast Championships

by Event media on 28 Jun 2008 Thursday afternoon brought lighter wind conditions than normal to Southern California’s premiere sailing venue off Long Beach. Six to nine knots of wind from the South and Southwest usually means slow boat speeds and an unexciting day on the water but not so for Bob Perry’s speedy 10 meter design 'Flying Tiger'.

The father and son team of Phillip and Payson Infelise took me along for a late afternoon practice sail as they warmed up their top notch crew for this weekend’s Pacific Coast Championships.

The Flying Tiger showed its speed in the relatively light and was able to hit its upwind target speeds of 6.3-6.5 knots even with some moderate wave action working against it going uphill. Downwind the Team on the Infelise’s 'Mile High Klub' nearly matched wind speed with boat speed which was quite a surprise given what little wind there was available.

The weather looks to be slightly windier on Friday as the fleet begins racing for the coveted PCC trophy. With one of the largest fleets in this year’s Acura Ullman Long Beach Race Week the Flying Tiger class is fast becoming the dominant fleet for the performance minded sailor. Defending Champion John Paquin from San Diego should feel right at home with the conditions expected on the course in Long Beach this year. The winds should peak on Friday and then diminish as a high pressure system builds into Southern California and brings high 70’ F temperatures to the coast and low 100s in the deserts. The traditional tactics of 'Going Right' on the race course may not be the right call as lighter winds mean shiftier conditions, especially on the Flying Tiger course which is just off of Sunset and Seal Beach just to the east of the Harbor.

You can view the racing from the end of the Seal Beach pier and catch lunch at Ruby’s Diner at the same time.