Santa Cruz 70s go for Cabo record, Mag 80 retires

by Rick Roberts on 10 Nov 2008 As the boats in the 2008 Long Beach to Cabo San Lucas International Yacht Race neared the halfway point, Doug Baker’s favored Magnitude 80 retired from the race early Sunday morning for, at this writing, unspecified reasons.

Meanwhile, the three Santa Cruz 70s in the race --- Peter Tong’s OEX, Ed McDowell’s Grand Illusion and Brack Duker’s Holua --- all were on pace to break the race record of 3 days 3 hours 46 minutes 24 seconds set in 1985 by one of the first Santa Cruz 70s ever built, William C. Martin’s, Blondie.

Race official Randy Beers reported: 'Magnitude 80 left a voice-mail message at [LBYC] this morning [Sunday]. They reported retiring from the race, headed to Ensenada, should arrive in 10 hours. All aboard are okay, no status on the boat.'

Using current elapsed time projections provided by iBoat Track and based on current wind projections and average boat speed, OEX is expected to finish approximately 5 hours ahead of the record and Grand Illusion and Holua about 4 hours ahead.

The rest of the fleet were also making good time in a strong northwesterly breeze of 18-22 knots which began filling early Sunday morning, boosting average boat speeds to 15-17 knots.

Virtually neck-and-neck were Bob Lane’s Andrews 63, Medicine Man, and Per Peterson’s Andrews 70, Alchemy, with Chris Slagerman’s Peterson 68, Cheetah, following close behind.

Kevin Flanigan’s Fox 44, Ocelot, also retired from the race Sunday morning.

'We decided to pull the plug last night [Saturday],' skipper Greg Nelson said. 'It took us eight hours to go 20 miles and we couldn’t see us finishing before the cutoff [12 noon, Thursday, Nov. 13].'

Enjoying the ride, Medicine Man’s navigator Mike Priest reported, 'At 0800 [hours] we were 30-25N, 117-29W, 4 foot seas, 60 percent clouds, but clearing quickly. Wind 25 knots. Wheeeeee!'

Competitors finish at Cabo Falso located at the west end of Cabo San Lucas and, weather conditions permitting, should start arriving Tuesday morning.

Trophy presentations will be hosted by LBYC for all competitors Thursday evening, Nov.13 in Cabo San Lucas.

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Daily Standings (from Sunday, Nov. 9, 0800hrs Position Reports)

PHRF

1. Per Peterson, Alchemy
2. Chris Slagerman, Cheetah
3. Ed McDowell, Grand Illusion
4. Brack Duker, Holua
5. Bob Lane, Medicine Man
6. Peter Tong, OEX
7. Doug Baker, Magnitude 80 – retired
8. Kevin Flanigan, Ocelot – retired

ORR (not all boats are being scored under ORR)

1. Chris Slagerman, Cheetah
2. Ed McDowell, Grand Illusion
3. Brack Duker, Holua
4. Bob Lane, Medicine Man
5. Peter Tong, OEX
6. Doug Baker, Magnitude 80 – retired
7. Kevin Flanigan, Ocelot – retired