Please select your home edition
Edition
Mackay Boats 728x90 TOP

2023 Ronstan Bridge to Bridge Race at St. Francis Yacht Club

by S/C Paul Heineken 31 Aug 2023 06:27 PDT

Mike Martin describes this event as "the best race in the world, ever."

Certainly, that description is up for argument, but who could complain about a downwind blast in 20+ knots of breeze between the iconic Golden Gate and San Francisco Bay Bridges? What started 25 years ago on a bet between windsurfers and Aussie 18s as to which craft was faster downwind, has now evolved into a test of the fastest hydrofoils, powered by windsurfers, wings, kites, and this year, electric powered boats (for demonstration only).

The major challenge of this race is choosing the right size sail, wing, or kite to power the rider because the wind varies over the course. There is no substitute for a big sail for the downwind flight, if you can hang on to it. And then there's the problem of sailing back to StFYC after the race.

This year fog rolled in at the Golden Gate Bridge starting line, which diminished the early breeze for the start of the race at 1730 hours on August 24. Then it increased to its usual 20 knots in the middle, and as is typical, nearly shut off at the Bay Bridge finish line. While a couple of competitors swam the last few meters across the line, nearly half of the wing fleet never made it. At least this year it wasn't a kite graveyard—many fewer rescues and RIB Uber rides were required than in past years to get the competitors back to the Club.

Results? No new record was set. The winner was kiter Adam Keaton who sailed the course in 11 minutes and 2 seconds. The 5O5 team of Mike Martin and Adam Lowry cross-trained effectively for the upcoming 5O5 World Championships, coming in fifth and seventh, respectively. The first windsurfer was Max Rosenblad with a time of 16:20 followed by Al Mirel in second. The leading winger was Jacob Rosenberg with a time of 17:01. Other results include Henry Vare second, Joey Pasquali in fifth, Erika Heineken in 14th and the first woman, and Dominic Bove, 15th.

The Candela and Navier electric foiling boats were given a one-minute head start, were passed midway by the kites and then after the finish helped provide Uber rides back to the Club for a few competitors. This was a truly unique San Francisco Bay event!

Thanks again to Ronstan for supporting this one-of-a-kind event!

See full results here.

Related Articles

Gorgeous sunny Spring Fest on San Francisco Bay
OIne-design fleets of J/24s, J/88s, and J/105s go racing The battle-hardened, hard-core sailors of San Francisco Bay, accustomed to the worst their Bay can dish out, were pleasantly surprised to contend with a very sybaritic weekend of sunny weather and light to moderate wind conditions! Posted on 21 Apr
2025 US Wingfoil Championship registration open
The National Championship set to take place at St. Francis Yacht Club St. Francis Yacht Club and US Sailing have opened registration for the second annual US Wingfoil Championship, to be held in San Francisco, California, June 20-22, 2025. Posted on 14 Apr
Nicole Breault wins California Dreamin' Series
LBYC's Shane Young wins overall series for invitation to 2026 Ficker Cup Long Beach Yacht Club Commodore Lisa Meier awarded the Barney Flam Perpetual Trophy on Sunday to Nicole Breault from the St. Francis Yacht Club for her first-place finish in LBYC's final stop of the 2025 California Dreamin' Series. Posted on 9 Apr
Registration open for 2025 Rolex Big Boat Series
This legendary regatta rewards the best in West Coast racing The Notice of Race is posted and registration is open for the 61st edition of Rolex Big Boat Series, hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club. Posted on 27 Feb
St. Francis YC announces 2025 Regatta Season
With national and world championships in multiple classes St. Francis Yacht Club, one of the world's premier sailing venues, has announced its action-packed 2025 regatta season. Posted on 22 Jan
2025 California Dreamin' Match Race Series Preview
Four stops planned at West Coast, a path to qualify for Ficker Cup and Congressional Cup Four stops planned at West Coast yacht clubs and a path to qualify for Ficker Cup and Congressional Cup. Posted on 22 Nov 2024
Relive the action of 2024 Rolex Big Boat Series
Mark your calendars for September 10-14, 2025! Sixty years, one excellent regatta! Take a moment to watch a recap video from the 2024 Rolex Big Boat Series, and mark your calendars for next year. We look forward to seeing you on the water September 10-14, 2025, at St. Francis Yacht Club! Posted on 18 Oct 2024
Awesome, epic Rolex Big Boat Series!
J/Teams sweep top five- ORC C Division! One of the best sailboat racing venues in the world, the iconic San Francisco Bay, lived up to its reputation for the 60th edition of the Rolex Big Boat Series at St. Francis Yacht Club, September 11th to 15th, 2024. Posted on 22 Sep 2024
Outstanding racing at 60th Rolex Big Boat Series
Breeze on conditions brought out the best skills and tactics for podium winners Breeze on conditions brought out the best skills and tactics for podium winners. Posted on 16 Sep 2024
60th edition Rolex Big Boat Series ready to race
One of the best sailboat racing venues in the world, iconic San Francisco Bay One of the best sailboat racing venues in the world, iconic San Francisco Bay, is ready to turn it on for the 60th edition of the Rolex Big Boat Series at St. Francis Yacht Club, September 11-15, 2024. Posted on 12 Sep 2024
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERHyde Sails 2024 - One DesignC-Tech 2021 America's Cup 728x90 BOTTOM