2019 Yachting Cup at San Diego Yacht Club - Day 2
by Jeff Johnson 6 May 2019 02:12 AEST
3-5 May 2019
2019 Yachting Cup © North Sails
Day two, North Sails Race Day, of San Diego Yacht Club's Yachting Cup was really day one for the majority of the competitors. Nine more classes joined the Pac52s and Farr 40s in the Pacific today for their first opportunity to place on the scoresheet. This year, only two ocean courses are housing over 70 vessels, making for some tight racing... literally.
Rounding the marks alongside a boat over double his size didn't bother Jeff Janov, owner of J/70 Minor Threat. "The race committee did a great job keeping things separated as well as they could. We saw some of the boats some of the time, but it never caused a problem. It has the potential of causing tension, but it went well. We picked up a good shift towards the end and our crew did a great job..."
SDYC Waterfront Director Jeff Johnson commented, "It's challenging for Race Committee because you don't want a fleet to come downwind and be going through the leeward gate as you're starting another fleet. Being mindful of how long the course is, how long it takes boats to get to the top mark, and keeping other boats clear is important."
The conditions on the Pacific today were similar to day one, with a breeze ranging from 10-12 knots and the sun shining. San Diego's "May grey" skies burnt off well before the sailors made their way onto the course.
It's not unlikely that boats at the top of their class, stay at the top of their class. However, nearly half of the boats in today's races kept their position in first place through the entire day. The picket fences belong to Ted Thompson's Schock 35 Whiplash; Mark Stratton's Beneteatu 40.7 Lugano, skippered by Michael Dorgan; Neil Frasier's 1D 35 Mexican Divorce; Bob Pethick's Rogers 46 Bretwalda3; John Laun's J/120 caper; and Alec Oberschmidt's RP50 Staghound.
Junior Staff Commodore Dorgan reflected on his wins today. "We had to manage our course position to stay away from the big wind shadows caused by the TP52s. We just tried to sail, stay calm and always be three steps ahead so we knew well in advance what we were doing. We had great teamwork, a great crew on Lugano, and we were blessed to have three firsts today. We got off the line clean, had good clean tacks, and everything was conservative."
Saturday night at the conclusion of the Yachting Cup's North Sails Race Day, the sailors and their families enjoyed Italian sausage sandwiches with all the fixings, Bay City Brews, a Mount Gay Rum tasting and live music by StylusOverhang.
"San Diego Yacht Club checks all the boxes. They do an incredible job not only taking care of the skippers, but the full crew, the full spread of food, live music when you get off the dock... they know how do it right," Dorgan commented.
On Sunday, skippers will reconvene back on the Sail Wash Lawn for the third and final day of the 2019 Yachting Cup.
Find more information about the regatta and follow the result at yachtingcup.com