(Newport Harbor, CA- Mar 4-5)- The Islands Race, a "newbie" on the
SoCal offshore sailing circuit, is proving to be a fun, challenging race
for experienced offshore racers in Southern California. Starting at
Newport Harbor YC the fleet sails 129 miles offshore out around the beautiful
Channel Islands of Catalina and San Clemente and finish off the end of
Point Loma before heading into San Diego YC. This year's event drew a
strong contingent of well-sailed SoCal offshore sailors.
There
were a number of J's racing in this year's event and their crews were
not only successful, but had a lot of fun in the process. Good winds
made for a fast passage this year. The biggest J, the J/160 INNOCENT
MERRIMENT sailed by Myron Lyon from San Diego YC, lead the J contingent
home in an elapsed time of 21 hours 37 minutes to finish 5th in PHRF 2
Class. Just behind them sailing in a very competitive PHRF Class 3 were
a J/44, J/124, J/120 and J/109! All a bunch of tough hombres. Leading
the pack home was Paul Stemler's J/44 PATRIOT from Newport Harbor YC in
just 22 hours 58 minutes elapsed, good enough to take first in class!
Third was the J/120 SHENANIGANS sailed by Gary Winton from Coronado Bay
YC, fourth was Seth Hall racing his J/124 MARISOL from BYC and eleventh
was the J/109 GREAT BALLS OF FIRE skippered by Daylen Terren from CRA.
For
more Islands Race sailing information.