Plus, SFYC Elite Keelboat Regatta(Belvedere, CA)- The beautiful San Francisco Yacht Club, situated on Belvedere Cove facing the famous Raccoon Straits inside of Angel Island, is hosting their annual Elite Keelboat Regatta and the J/24 Western Regional Championship from May 16 to 17. The racing takes place on the Berkeley Circle just off the Berkeley city waterfront. Infamous for raging currents, howling breezes and simply gigantic boat-crunching chop, the sailors will always find it a challenge to sail a consistent regatta on the notorious “circle”.
Founded
in 1869, The San Francisco Yacht Club is the oldest club on the Pacific
Coast. The original anchorage and clubhouse were located in San
Francisco near Mission Rock, but inadequate depth of water and
increasing industrial growth in the area resulted in a move to
Sausalito. Later, increasing ferry traffic and congestion contributed to
a decision to move again in 1926. One group, headed by Commodore
Clifford Smith, felt that Belvedere Cove would be an ideal location.
Another group felt that the Club should move back to San Francisco and
lease land from the City on the Marina. One group stayed with the club
at its current Belvedere site, those who opposed the move resigned and
formed St. Francis Yacht Club! 
Other
than the classic Knarrs, the famous “woodies” that have graced the Bay
for generations, the J/24s and J/70s are the biggest fleets in the
regatta. As a Worlds Qualifier regatta, the J/24s have an excellent
turnout of nearly a dozen boats. Visitors have come from all over
California and the Pacific Coast. Headliner for the class should be Pat
Toole’s Santa Barbara YC team on 3 BIG DOGS, past J/24 North American
Champions. Not giving an inch will also be the top caliber team of
TREMENDOUS SLOUCH from Corinthian YC in Seattle, WA led by Scott Milne.
While these top contenders may have their evil eyes focused on each
other, don’t count out Jasper Van Vliet’s EVIL OCTUPUS, Darren Cumming’s
DOWNTOWN UPROAR, Valentin Lulevich’s SHUT UP & DRIVE nor Paul van
Ravenswaay’s FERAL ROOSTER. With an eight boat class consisting of SF Bay boats that have all sailed well and placed in one event or another, it’s a bit of a challenge handicapping the group. Nevertheless, amongst the leaders should be Chris Kostanecki’s JENNIFER, Peter Cameron’s PRIME NUMBER and Chris Anderson’s PERFECT WIFE. Sailing photo credits- Chris Ray and Pressure-drop.us. Sailing photo credits- Chris Ray and Presssure-drop.us. For more Elite Keel/ J/24 Western Regionals sailing information
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