J/70s Debut, Strong J/105 Fleet Sailing(Santa Barbara, CA)- J/70s will be making their debut in the Santa Barbara YC's 7th annual Fiesta Cup Regatta, one of the more renown West Coast events on the California summer sailing schedule. The Fiesta Cup is a popular event for a number of reasons; the Santa Barbara YC provides excellent race management for the sailors and, perhaps most importantly, hosts the fabulously fun Fiesta Party on Saturday night. Regatta Chairman Jane Watkins promises a celebration of all delicious things Mexican- margaritas, tacos, music and other deliciously tasty tidbits and beverages supplied by Fess Parker's Winery and Vineyard and Cerveza Pacifico.
With nine boats sailing, the J/70s should see fun, competitive sailing in the windy, wavy, sunny conditions Santa Barbara offers sailors. With WNW breezes and often 4-6 foot storm-driven ocean swells running around the point, the J/70s should enjoy extended surfing and pretty wild "planing mode" rides when conditions permit-- hopefully, avoiding the monster kelp that often has a nasty habit of finding rudders and keels and wrapping themselves around your boat at the most inopportune time! Sailing will be a combination of notable locals like Dave Ullman, Ken Kieding on SMOKE & MIRRORS, George Moll on DEVIANT, Eli Parker & Mike Drammer on ECLIPSE and John Coye on SLOOP JOHN B. Visiting sailors include Craig Tallman on JAYA, Tom Jenkins & Eric Kownacki on DFZ and Dan Gribble & Kurt Wiese on GO-RILLA.
The J/105s promise to have spirited competition with nine teams sailing as well. With a number of strong local teams, the "Santa Barbarians" expect to sweep the top three with some tough hombres like multiple Fiesta Cup winner Larry Harteck on REPEAT OFFENDER, Alex Rasmussen on FREE ENTERPRISE, and Dan Durbeck and Jon Ziskind sailing PERFECT TIMING 2. Visiting sailors from San Diego YC should give the locals a run-for-the-money, including Steve Howell's BLINK and Rick Goebel's SANITY. For more Santa Barbara YC Fiesta Cup sailing information
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