(Santa Barbara, CA- May 14, 2011) - Steady wind allowed for new course records to be set in the Hardway Race. Dr Laura Schlessinger established a new course record for the 67 nautical mile course from Santa Barbara to Ventura "the hard way" (hence name for the race), around Santa Cruz Island. Going offshore can be quite lumpy and miserable despite the fact that you're only a few miles offshore from sunny Santa Barbara, retirement home of famed American TV Star Oprah Winfrey and famous radio "psychologist" talk show host Dr. Laura.
Sailing the "hard-way" course and hanging tough was Santa Barbara YC's Larry Leveille racing his famous J/29 masthead RUSH STREET. Their efforts weren't for naught, getting yet another piece of silverware to add to their enormous collection at home, finishing second in PHRF B class. We think Larry may pave his driveway with silverware soon, easier to maintain than dirt or black top!
Sailing the "easy-way", frolicking down the coast was Mike Leary's J/30 PANGEA from Ventura YC. Mike and crew decimated the PHRF A Coastwise division, winning class by nearly 30 minutes on corrected time! Who says a J/30 can't still go fast!? Finishing just ten minutes in front of them on elapsed time was the J/92 DOUBLE DOWN sailed by Brian Kerr. However, Brian's team didn't get enough time to overcome PANGEA on handicap, so ended up second overall in class.
In the "easy-way" Non-spinnaker division was Mike Hopper's J/22 MAJIC DRAGON from PBYC, getting a 2nd in class just five minutes off the pace to collect gold! For more Hardway Race sailing information
