The J/125 DOUBLE TROUBLE sailed by Andy Costello
from Point Richmond, CA (the Rolex Big Boat Series Fast 40 class
winner) is preparing for an assault on the Pacific Cup this year and,
perhaps, even the TransPac Race next year. Both events sail the 2,225
nm race across the wild blue Pacific from California to Hawaii- often a
fast, downhill sleighride perfectly suited to the J/125. Recently, we
got a report from Andy and crew on how things are progressing on that
silver bullet you often see flying across San Francisco Bay--
"Our
Pacific Cup Team performed at top Level in the Farralon Islands Race
(ED's note- DT won the race). Testing conditions but the boat and the
crew were at 100%. I can't help but feel very lucky and blessed to still
be here after the tragedy that struck our racing community with the
loss of "Low Speed Chase" and 5 of their crew during the rounding at the
Farralon Islands! I believe it could have been many of the racing
yachts rounding that day and am feeling how vulnerable we all are today!
I will remember the lost crew every time we go offshore-- God Speed!
This Memorial Day weekend is the Spinnaker Cup. DOUBLE TROUBLE will try
to be the first boat since the race was created in 1998 to win three
consecutive overall wins in the 90 nm sprint down the California Coast
(DT won the race overall in 2010 and 2011).
The Spinnaker Cup is a joint effort by the San Francisco Yacht Club
(SFYC) and the Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club (MPYC). Often fast and
furious, this 90 mile downhill run pits sailors against each other as
well as the elements and has provided many thrills for contestants." If
you want to keep up with the silver bullet, follow them on the Double Trouble Sailing Team blog/ website. Sailing photo credits- Sharon Green/ Ultimate Sailing