Cal 20 Fun Run in Long Beach

by Rick Roberts on 14 Dec 2011
The Cal 20 Fun Run is an event known for its casual approach and fun on the water and on Saturday at the Long Beach Yacht Club, the local team of Keith Ives and Chuck Stevens dominated the event with three first place finishes and a margin of seven points ahead of second.

The traditional one-day regatta is run in the turning basin of Alamitos Bay---an unusual venue for the nimble Cal 20s---presenting a challenge for the sailors as they constantly adjust for the shifty breezes that wind their way through the houses and down the Naples Island channel.

With a token entry fee of only five bucks and minimal sailing instructions that clearly say, 'Protests are discouraged,' the event usually precedes the local fleet’s annual Holiday Party and the race committee lets the sailors decide how many races they want to run.

Ives and Stevens, ABYC, are traditionally the 'rabbit' in most of the Cal 20 races even though there were a couple of races where they struggled, getting a sixth and two fourths out of seven races. But overall, they showed that you can stay calm and have fun while being consistent.

Second place on the day was local fleet captain Chuck Clay, ABYC, with third going to the father and son team of Ron Wood, ABYC, and Mike Wood, LBYC.

Final Results:

1. Keith Ives/Chuck Stevens, ABYC, 'Rubber Dog', 1-4-1-6-1-4-3, 20 points
2. Chuck Clay, ABYC, 'Veintiseis', 5-2-10-2-5-1-2, 27
3. Ron and Mike Wood, ABYC/LBYC, 'Lickety Split, 8-7-2-4-7-5-5, 38
4. John Merchant, ABYC, 'Breakfast Club', 6-9-4-5-3-2-12DNC, 41
5. Mike Van Dyke/Dave Crockett, ABYC,'Maniacal' 3-6-11-7-2-12OCS-1, 42

Long Beach Yacht Club website