(San Diego, CA)- Every year, many sailors in southern California look forward to what may be one of the most popular SoCal offshore keelboat classics of all time- the infamous “Hot Rum Series” run by San Diego YC in November and December. It is popular because it is, essentially, a “no brainer” from a racing standpoint. It is a “pursuit race”, so you start at an appointed time pre-determined by the SDYC PRO and PHRF calculators, and where you finish is how you actually finished in the race! Doh! Yeah. That simple. Go home knowing you could have gone from zero to hero in one day! For the most part, the 100+ boats and nearly 1,000 competitors simply love the spectacle and the fact they are participating on yet another beautiful, fall, outrageously spectacular day off “Sunny Diego’s” majestic Point Loma peninsula.
The event is a favorite amongst many J/sailors in the region. Not surprisingly, many of them do quite well and earn more than their fair share of silverware, plates, pickle-dishes, salad bowls, photos, and what not.
This
past weekend’s race was quite typical of the Hot Rum series. The first
starters saw light breezes from the northwest, building as the
afternoon progressed up to 8-10 kts. In such scenarios, it is often the
little boats that start first with the lowest ratings that get the
short-end of the straw. Meanwhile, the big fast 50 to 70 footers in the
back of the pack roar off the start line in 10-15 kts winds and smoke
the little boats by the time everyone converges on the finish line just
off Shelter Island inside San Diego Harbor.
However, this past weekend, it was not so. Little boats did OK. An infamous Ericson 35 Mk XXX with a crazy rating took overall honors, yet again. But, the Gomez-Ibarra crew on he J/70 VAGAZO got 4th overall and first in their class. Then, Chuck Nichols’ J/120 CC RIDER took 7th overall and fourth in their class. And, Dag Fish’s J/105 VIGGEN took 8th overall and first in their PHRF 3 class. Not a bad showing for this trio of J/Boats!
On a class basis, Mark Surber’s J/125 DERIVATIVE took 5th in PHRF Class 1. And, Viggo Torbensen’s J/125 TIMESHAVER placed 7th. In PHRF Class 2, Laun’s J/120 CAPER was 6th behind Nichols’ CC RIDER.
The J/70s just about cleaned house in PHRF 4 class. Behind VAGAZO, it was Wyman’s NUNUHUNU in 2nd and Dave Vieregg’s SOGGY DOLLAR in 4th.
Finally, in PHRF 5 class, the Case’s J/22 ZO ZO took third place, followed by Lynch’s J/30 RUFFIAN in 8th and Dave Cattle’s J/27 BLACKADDER in 9th position. Sailing photo credits- SDYC/ Cynthia Sinclair.
For more Hot Rum Series sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.
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