Dennis Connor Around the Coronados Race

J/145 wins Dennis Connor Around Coronados Race © J/Boats

This past Saturday, September 14th, the Cortez Racing Association held their annual Dennis Conner Around the Coronados Race. It is generally a quick trip of 30.6nm on a fast reach from the start off Point Loma, San Diego out around the Coronado rocks and back.

The race was established to honor and commemorate one of the most famous San Diego sailors, the America's Cup winning Dennis Connor (he was also a multiple-time Star World Champion).

There was a tremendous turn-out for the race, with fifty-four boats registered that included many of San Diego's notable offshore ocean racers; such as Pendragon (TP52), Staghound (RP50), Blue Blazes (RP 50), Zero Gravity (Soto 40), Cabron (Botin 80), Hurricane (Stealth 11.8), Splendor (Driscol Sloop), and Sizzle (Hobie 33).

Despite the formidable competition, it was a family team on the J/145 PALAEMON that finished first in Class and first Overall! The boat was skippered by Rudy Hasl, with Phil Hasl as tactician.

"With winds in the 7-11 kts range and calm seas, our J/145 PALAEMON just glided effortlessly through the water, keeping a fast VMC to North Coronado Island and then back to the finish in San Diego Bay," commented skipper Rudy Hasl. "We just flew past the Soto 40 and were behind the RP 50 Staghound by only 2 minutes! It was an exciting day for us!"