J/145 KATARA Wins OVERALL in Catalina Race

(Catalina Island, CA)- Sean Motta from Davis Island Yacht Club in Florida recently sailed on the J/145 KATARA off southern California in a very popular offshore spring race to Catalina Island.  Here is Sean's report:

"I normally have a strict “more time on the race course than in the airport/airplanes getting there” policy. However, after Covid-19 effectively destroyed the second half of DIYC Member Roger Gatewood’s J/145 KATARA’s west-coast sailing season, I got a call from Bill Wingrove that we had been invited to participate in the 2020 Long Point Regatta! Myself and the rest of the crew were all too happy to schedule a flight and jump at the opportunity!


KATARA was moved to the Los Angeles area last year where she participated in the 2019 TransPac (DIYC Log Article October 2019), the LAYC’s Midwinter Around Catalina Race (DIYC Log Article March 2020), and the 2020 Puerto Vallarta Race (DIYC Log Article April 2020). There were plans for the Newport-Ensenada Race, the Rolex San Francisco Big Boat regatta, and many others, all of which were cancelled by the pandemic.

Bill and I headed to the Tampa airport to hop a flight to LAX where we would join up with Roger, his daughter Cat, Sam Heck (our CA boat captain), and several other CA based sailors for the regatta. This race is generally as much about the parties on the island of Catalina as it is the two day-races out and back. While the large on-shore activities were cancelled, our sister J/145 PALAEMON (owner Rudy Hasl is a member of the San Diego Yacht Club) had access to a beautiful remote camp facility on the island. 

Unlike most of KATARA’s races, where we frantically comb through the boat looking for anything of weight not bolted down to be thrown ashore before we depart, this race’s prep involved loading in a dinghy, oars (thanks Liam and Tyler!), home-cooked Korean BBQ (thanks, Allie!), sleeping bags, pillows, adult beverages, cookies, and doughnuts!


After a brief motor down to the starting line, the race started in a light breeze around 5-6kts out of the southwest. The forecast expected this to build slightly to near 10-11 kts and clock to the right as we sailed across the channel and to the island. We made a short 3 mile beat to the North on Port tack before tacking for what we hoped was, and turned out to be, the lay line to the finish. Other than an expected area of highly turbulent air just outside the mooring field within a mile of the finish line, the rest of the outbound race was uneventful and largely an uphill endeavor. 

Sail stacking was allowed for this race, so many of the crew spent a fair bit of the race man-handling massive sail bags around the deck for optimal weight distribution.

Once finished, we picked up our mooring ball and shuttled the crew in the dinghy, a few at a time, ashore.  Once everyone assembled together, Allie prepared an incredible meal of Korean BBQ, rice, and salad. In the morning, many of the crew took a hike to the top of one of the nearby peaks, while others enjoyed a relaxing morning aboard or took a swim through the mooring field.

The race back on Sunday started at 1300 in southwest winds like we had on Saturday. Starting with the light-medium genoa, then quickly proceeding through the tweener, the A1, and ultimately the A2. The bow team did an excellent job of peeling between the various headsails. The A2 and Staysail carried us much of the way through the second half of the race to a beautiful finish just off of Newport Beach, CA. A few hours motoring home ended what was a fabulous weekend enjoyed by all."

In the 2020 Long Point Regatta to Catalina, Roger Gatewood’s (DIYC) J/145 KATARA took 1st overall ORR (1-1) and 2nd in Class PHRF (3-2). Her sistership- the J/145 PALAEMON owned/ skippered by Rudy Hasl- took 2nd overall ORR.

The KATARA team included: Sean Motta (DIYC), Bill Wingrove (DIYC), Sam Heck, Cat Gatewood, Julia Jaynes, Liam McCarthy, Allie Tsai, Tyler Caroe, Louis Tuey, Daina Bandziulis, and Ruta Bandziulis.  Reprinted with permission from the Davis Island Yacht Club October 2020 Newsletter- "The Log". Thanks for sailing photo credits- Tom Walker. Add to Flipboard Magazine.

J/Crews Sweep Catalina Island Race

(Los Angeles, CA)- The Los Angeles Yacht Club held their annual Midwinter Around Catalina Island Race the past weekend. Starting the 80.0nm race next to Angels Gate Lighthouse, the PHRF handicap fleet of nearly twenty offshore racers head due west, leaving Catalina Island to port, then head back and finish at Angles Gate Lighthouse. It was a relatively quick race for the fleet, with the bigger boats getting around in about 16 hours.

Winning the PHRF A Division quite handily was Roger Gatewood's J/145 KATARA, winning both class and fleet with a corrected time of 15:49:16.  Winning the PHRF B Division by a country mile was Doug and Jack Jorgensen's J/111 PICOSA, crossing the line not far off the J/145 pace and correcting out to 17:04:53, good enough for fifth overall. Finally, taking the silver in PHRF B was Daniel Murphy's J/105 CUCHULAINN.  For more Los Angeles YC Catalina Island Race sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Round Catalina Island Race Report

(Los Angeles, CA)- Every Memorial Day since 1981 sailors in southern California have competed in the Around Catalina Island Race.  Catalina Island, located about 22 miles from the coast, has been a long time destination for celebrities, tourists and adventure seekers who want to explore the somewhat rugged terrain.  The sailing community utilizes the island for its' secluded coves, world class diving, fishing, and as a mark on the race course.  Keith Magnussen from Ullman Sails Newport Beach provides the following report:

“Of the many races that circumnavigate Catalina Island in one way or another, the Around Catalina Race is one of my favorites.

Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club and Dana Point Yacht Club share the hosting responsibilities making this joint venture even more popular.  This race starts inside the harbor, exits Angels Gate, around Catalina and finishes in Dana Point.

There are a few segments to this race and each year I try to improve on my decisions since experience plays a huge role in what we do.  We are gearing up for Transpac on the J-125 Timeshaver and this was the final race before we finish boat preparations and start in July.  First decision was how far west to go before committing to crossing the channel.  We made a few tacks up the breakwater to cover my long time nemesis on Horizon, Erik Shampain.  Once again, I did what I said I would not do.  We went another quarter mile and paid the price as we found ourselves in a huge header half way over.

Crossing to Catalina this time was beautiful.  Good weather and decent breeze saw us arrive at the West End of the island no later than 4pm.  Could this be a quick race?

Our approach to the island was less than desirable but we worked hard to make up the distance.  We switched from our light headsail and into the heavy number one headsail.  This was great practice for Transpac since this is the first five hours of that race!

Getting around the West End can be tricky.  The wind can get very light and San Clemente Island can have a huge effect on wind direction and velocity.  We found ourselves jib reaching for a few minutes.  We then set some other reaching sails and into the big 2A spinnaker.  More importantly, we were having a good time.  The backside of the island gives off a calmness and acts as a barrier to all that is busy on the mainland.

People always ask me what I like about sailing and my answer usually includes the J-125.  Wind was approaching 20 kts and we were finally getting into what I really liked, planning.  Not many boats can break free like the J-125 and it is an experience all to itself.  The feeling is sensational and you can tell by the smiles that we are truly experiencing something exceptional.

Part of what makes this race so inviting is the scenery.  You will usually find yourself sailing away from the East End of Catalina Island as the sun is setting.  This can really set the stage for a beautiful sunset.  In our case we were focused on the Horizon team which we were closing in on relatively quickly.

Horizon has a great team under the leadership of Erik and John Shampain and it was to no surprise that they waited until just after sunset to make their turn towards Dana Point.  We do the same and in the process lose our visual sight of them.  The clear night meant that Horizon's running lights blended into the busy Southern California coastline.

We thought we liked our position for the final push to the finish.  Unfortunately as we closed in on the 5 mile check in we realized this might not have been the way to go.  Around eleven pm we passed a boat so fast we thought it was a cruiser coming back from Catalina.  The mystery boat ended up being Horizon who was stuck in a hole.

Fast-forward an hour and they pass us as we get stuck in a hole about 200 yards from the finish line.  Passing lanes were open now and Flaca, another SC-50, took full advantage and passed both Horizon and us!

Frustration turned into words as we all crossed the finish line.  I think the Horizon guys were feeling more frustrated than us since they seemed to have a sure thing only to lose it in the final moments.

In the end, it was another fun race and a learning experience.  We are truly feeling confident about the 2015 Transpac and are looking forward to getting the boat on the step again.  Third in class for Around Catalina Island, not bad!”  Please watch their J/125 sailing video here.  For more J/125 Around Catalina Island race sailing information

J/125 Flies In Cabo Race- 9.1 Kts Average!

(Cabo San Lucas, Mexico)- Cabo Race veterans dream of the idyllic offshore sailing conditions made famous in record-setting years.  Imagine taking off in sunshine, mid-70s temperature, just t-shirts and shorts and a light to moderate seabreeze building as the afternoon goes on.  Switch from Code Zero’s over to A3s overnight, then take off in trade-wind type conditions launched to Cabo San Lucas just 800nm away.  Much to the delight of this year’s 37-odd boat fleet, that’s how Neptune answered their prayers.  The sailors relished the solid northerlies blowing down the coast in big oscillations, surfing down the enormous Pacific Ocean swells, enjoying the moonlit nights filled with stars and watching long trails of phosphorescence in their stern wakes, watching in amazement as pods or schools of dolphins frolicked around their boats.

While the start was a bit of the usual light winds blowing onshore, it didn’t take long for the fleet to experience nice breeze offshore on the way down Mexico’s Baja Peninsula.  The ORR fleet saw the big boats whistling along at 17+ kt boatspeeds and the smaller boats simply peeling the miles away on their speedos in the 9 to 12+ kts range. There were several lead changes throughout the night in the class; it was amazing that boats can be this close after sailing so many miles.

By Sunday, the J/125 TIMESHAVER had taken the lead in ORR 3 Class. For them it was a drag race all day Sunday with few changes in position, and even into the night some of the boats were bundled together likely in sight of each other as they pass close by Isla Cedros. It was going to be a close race both across the line and corrected.

By the time they finished on Tuesday, the fleet continued to enjoy good winds and, generally, those who stood offshore of boats that kept gybing too far inshore kept making incremental gains.  In the end, it’s not too surprising that one of the top west coast offshore J/125 teams, Viggo Torbensen’s TIMESHAVER from Dana Point Yacht Club, pulled off a stellar performance to take second in ORR 3 Class and eighth overall!  It was an amazing ride for the TIMESHAVER gang; they averaged 9.1 kts boatspeed for the 810nm course, finished 3rd boat-for-boat against four SC 50s and beat their nemesis HORIZON by over 45 minutes corrected ORR time (they crossed the line only 26 minutes behind them, in sight after 810nm!!). Congratulations to Viggo and the crew!  For more Cabo Race sailing information.

Islands Race Lovely Triangle Challenges Sailors!

(Long Beach, California)- The 2015 Islands Race marks the start of the offshore racing season in Southern California.  An eclectic mix of yachts from the Mexican border to Santa Barbara collect themselves in Long Beach and race around two islands and into San Diego every year. Yes, it’s a lovely triangular course that is far more challenging and deceiving tactically and strategically than most sailors can imagine.

The 130 nm course is far more challenging than meets the eye-- you have to navigate offshore from Long Beach Harbor, transit the deep blue ocean swells and genuine sea breezes to the west of Santa Catalina and San Clemente Islands, and finally negotiate various points of sail to the finish off San Diego’s Point Loma.

The 2015 Islands Race marks the 6th year of this well-attended event developed in partnership between San Diego Yacht Club and Newport Harbor Yacht Club. The successful long-term co-hosting of this race has proven to be a positive example of yacht clubs working together to promote, advance and improve the sport of yacht racing.

For this year’s edition, arm-chair weather forecasters and weather routing experts were busy trying to predict the race and some of them were even posting their Expedition tracks on FaceBook for everyone to enjoy.

The start was a bit unusual as the fleet ended up starting at the Point Fermin sea buoy; this was due to the heavy commercial traffic inside the breakwater.  Once the race commenced, the boats that held an outside (northerly) rhumbline to San Clemente Island generally benefitted from stronger breeze; those who held a closer line were in a lot less breeze than most.

Once past San Clemente, the boats that held a lower line towards San Diego’s Point Loma did better and got more pressure. Was this perhaps due to the Coriolis Effect, the Venturi Effect, the Halo Effect, the Polar Vortex, the Laminar Flow Effect and winds wrapping around the ends of incredibly tall islands like San Clemente?!  Hmmm, the jury is still out on that phenomenon.

According to “K-Mag” (Keith Magnussen from Ullman Sails Newport Beach), it was about the time he was rounding San Clemente Island that he began viewing on his iPad the awesome surf movie- “North Shore”.  According to Keith, “I already know the full movie back to front but what better way to inspire sailing to Hawaii than watching this awesome movie.  If you do not have a clue what I am talking about then do not worry about it Haole. Night time and early morning was filled with apparent wind games.  For lead sleds, pole forward.  For sprits, simply sending it with A1’s or Code Zeros. By no means was it frustrating, more like taxing on the mind.  Sailing in light breeze in any distance race is tough, but essential to do well.”

In such mind-bending conditions where the reality-distortion field was taking effect, many of the J/Teams faired quite well when playing apparent wind & mind games.  Shades of the Santa Barbara to King Harbor Race in July 2014!

PHRF 2 Class saw the J/145 GOOD CALL skippered by Tom Barker take third while John Lyon’s J/160 INNOCENT MERRIMENT placed seventh and Tim Fuller’s J/125 RESOLUTE took eighth in class (the result of a negative strategic outcomme at zero dark hundred hours when the tactical team played Pokemon to determine their strategery decision- got it?!).

In PHRF 3 Class, the J/111 STAMPEDE sailed by Glenn Griley enjoyed the race track and strategic challenges better than most and took second in class followed closely by Gary Winton’s J/120 SHENANIGANS in third place.  Taking fifth place were the Jorgensen Brothers sailing their J/133 PICANTE and in sixth was Paul Stemler’s pretty J/44 PATRIOT.  For more Islands Race sailing information

J/Teams Leaders @ Long Point/ Catalina Race Week

(Long Point, CA)- One of the classic end of summer events enjoyed by many sailors in the Los Angeles offshore circuit are the three point-to-point races that constitute Long Point Race Week.  The event is jointly hosted by Newport Harbor YC and Balboa YC and the three races that are run are 1) Newport Beach to Long Point , 2) the Ship Rock race, and 3) Long Point back to Newport Beach.

First day the teams raced 26 nm from Newport Beach to Whites Cove, Catalina island where all the racers were catered for by the superbly prepared chefs from Newport Harbor and Balboa Yacht Clubs. The event is by invitation only and features some of the best in SoCal racing.  Saturday's racing started super-light, the race committee decided to move the start up the coast closer to Ship Rock- the top mark of the race course.  The breeze kept building and the racers enjoyed a downwind finish in 15-16 kts with a dash of brilliant sunshine.  Then, it was back to the chefs and more culinary pleasures, all served on the beautiful sandy beach on Catalina Island! Sunday's race back to the mainland saw 8-15 knots of breeze from the west, making for a fast-paced race. 

Sailing "lights out" was Viggo Torbensen's Dana Point YC team on his J/125 TIMESHAVER-- the famous boat with the pink bottom!  Their 2-1-1 record for 4 pts gave them an enormous lead over the class rivals in Division Two.  Second to them was Myron Lyon's San Diego YC crew on the J/160 INNOCENT MERRIMENT, winning the first race and adding a 5-6 for 12 pts total.  Third was the other J/125 DERIVATIVE sailed by Mark Thurber's Coronado YC team, starting slow with a 9th, but closing fast with a 3-2 for 14 pts to snag the last spot on the podium.

The J/120 one-design class was tossed into a mixed fleet of boats in Division Three, perhaps much to their competitors collective dismay.  With all that one-design racing experience under their belts, the J/120s took four of the top five spots.  Leading the charge was Mike Hatch's San Diego YC crew on the infamous J-ALMIGHTY, taking second overall with a 4-2-1 for 7 pts.  Third was Gary Winton's Cabrillo Beach YC crew on SHENANIGANS, posting a 1-8-4 scoreline for 13 pts.  Fourth overall was Jim Barber's Los Angeles YC crew on HOT TAMALE, losing the tie-breaker to SHENANIGANS by virtue of their 6-4-3 record for 13 pts.  Fifth place was Tom & Teri Manok's Oceanside YC gang sailing POLE DANCER.

The two J/109s that sailed in Division Four ended up tied after three races!  Consequently, after the count-back, the top J/109 happened to be John Shulze's LINSTAR from host Balboa YC, taking 5th in the class.  The second J/109 was Rex Butler's JD from San Diego YC.   For more Long Point Race Week sailing information