PV09 Series - It's strictly sailing in Race 3 to the bottom of Baja

by Rich Roberts on 9 Feb 2009
Flying spinnakers on their best wind leg so far, the 14-boat fleet in Del Rey Yacht Club's PV09 International Race Series to Puerto Vallarta, presented by Corum Swiss Timepieces, blew into Puerto Los Cabos in time for Sunday brunch.

The fastest, Bob Kettenhofen's slick Beck 60, Dare, from Balboa Yacht Club in Newport Beach, led the way as usual, with one difference: Race 3, 152 nautical miles from Magdalena Bay, was the first leg of the series on which nobody used an engine.

Otherwise, the rules allow a boat to power up and pay a penalty when wind is so light that its sailing speed drops below its assigned 'Cross-Over' speed.

Dare averaged 7.55 knots in following breeze estimated at 10 knots, but as the fastest-rated boat in the fleet it wouldn't necessarily correct out on its rivals on overall handicap time. Jim Puckett's Farr 55, Amazing Grace, was 13 miles behind Dare at morning roll call.

The Non-Spinnaker A and B boats did not race this leg, instead devoting their efforts to a fishing tournament en route. Most started a few hours ahead of the Spinnaker A and B boats on Saturday.

Mike Priest, navigator on Peter Noonan's Swan 56, Defiance, in Non-Spinnaker A class, reported by e-mail: 'The non-spin classes had considered running an informal race leg, but a forecast breezy day for Saturday and Sunday led a few to get an early start to deliver to San Jose del Marina for some R&R.'

Meanwhile, the race committee, traveling by land in a Winnebago RV, was keeping pace down the Baja California peninsula to meet the fleet at each layover.

Priest said, 'The mobile race committee had as much of a chore getting to Santa Maria Bay to meet us, as we did to race down the coast. They told of meeting up with the Mag Bay Outfitters Company on the shore side of Mag Bay. They left their motor coach there and were taken by off-road van across an opening that is only accessible at low tide. Then [they had] a fun drive at 70 miles an hour down the low tide sand line to get to the 'village' (very loose term) where the fleet anchored and set up camp to administer Race Committee duties … including hosting happy hour and a fresh fish taco dinner.'

Such is life in what some would consider to be an amateur sailor's sensible and more enjoyable approach to sailboat racing.

The last race will be 286 n.m. across the Gulf of California to Puerto Vallarta on the mainland, starting Tuesday.
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

Race 3 report - 220 n.m. Turtle Bay to Magdalena Bay; positions as of 8 a.m. Sunday; all except Félicita finished by mid-day; details Monday

Spinnaker-A
Amazing Grace (Farr 55), James Puckett, Del Rey YC, avg. speed 6.86 knots / 0 engine hours / 23 miles to go.
Carmagnole (Beneteau First 45), Dan Howard, DRYC, 6.71k / 0 / 26.
Dare (Beck 60), Bob Kettenhofen, Balboa YC, 7.55k / 0 / 10.
Felícita (J/120), Perry Peters, Arizona YC, Phoenix, 5.45k / 0 / 49.

Spinnaker-B
Barking Spider (Catalina 36 MK2), David Kory, Point Richmond, Calif., 6.32k / 0 / 33.
Rose of Sharon (Burgess 59), Byron K. Chamberlain, Newport Harbor YC, 6.54k / 0 / 29.
Jungle Jim (Jeanneau 49), Jim Maslon, DRYC, 6.32k / 0 / 33.
Tranquility (Beneteau First 40.7, Max Lynn, Santa Barbara YC, (withdrawn).

Non-Spinnaker A and B classes fishing, not racing.

http://www.pv09.com/