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For starters, the local champions and top sailors cannot be underestimated. The J/24 North American Champion Pat Toole is now sailing J/70s in the modern version of THREE BIG DOGS. They have been quick learners and, in due course, have started to regularly punch in top three finishes at various J/70 regattas over the past few months in the Southern California J/70 circuit- a very talented group to start with. Also, from the local fleet that has done well on a regional and national basis is Scott Deardorff’s CAKE. Then, sailing an all-women’s team on CUP CAKE will be Heidi Zisskind’s crew from Santa Barbara YC. Other top teams include multiple West Coast J/80 Champion Curt Johnson on AVET 2.01; he, too, like Toole’s BIG DOGGERs, has been on a fast learning curve and is getting comfortable sailing at the top of the leaderboard. Then, a J/70 West Coast Champion from San Diego, CA will be amongst the visitors hoping to steal the Fiesta Cup- Chris Snow and John Brigden’s COOL STORY BRO. Should be an entertaining weekend of racing in Santa Barbara, famous for massive kelp beds and wild puffs off the bluffs! For more Santa Barbara Fiesta Cup sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.