THE RACING Racing, and just sailing, resumes in California. Reports here include Going up the Country (to Stockton), Show n Go (in Whiskeytown), Dave Wall Inverted Start (in Marina del Rey), First Real Race (in Richmond), Breakout Series (in San Pedro), and Sail in Place (in Santa Cruz). Race Notes are both copious and diverse.
— pretty much. Some folks just can't take no for an answer; they just need Moore. It's not the Moore 24 boat, although it is legendary, it's the folks that sail them. On a certain day in June, 10 Moores with crews of two to four folks gathered near Red Rock. Pretty soon spinnakers were up and bows were directed toward Stockton. Some Banditos were just disgruntled and didn't have the huevos and were concerned about Snafus for the predicted winds. Soon stereos were adjusted, fathometers were switched on, and boat speeds started reaching that magic Bo Derek, the perfect 10. As the merry band slipped under the bridge, a local crack sailing couple led out toward the anchored Navy mothball fleet, and they and two others had their draft exceed the depth. They pulled off a Circus move that was worthy of the greatest show on Earth and barely lost their lead, while you would have needed a Mooretician to clean up the mess the other two yachts left. Only one vessel carried a family of four, so when it comes to jibing with speeds now solidly in the teens, it gets busy for just two folks. The Moore 24 Delta Ditch Run Perpetual. Bill and Melinda Erkelens Moores are old-school won the trophy last year with #11, 'Flying Circus'. After flying to Stockton at the head of 10 Moores on June 6, they posed with the trophy. and require the foredeck monkey to pass the pole across the bow while the driver puts the Francisco Bay near Red Rock and finish tiller between the knees and manipulates at the Stockton Sailing Club 70 miles the sheet, guy, twings, mainsheet, travupriver. eler and downhaul, and, yes, continues Over the years some marks have been to pilot the vessel. added to keep the fleet outta trouble, as If mistakes are made, attention will some mariners just need to be told where be required to release the vang while not to cut corners. Usually, more than the spinnaker pole turns into Moorigami 100 boats show up, split into all kinds around the shrouds. Wet Spots were left of racing and cruising divisions. all over the course as the diminutive FlyThis year's Ditch Run was canceled
TBFPHOTOGRAPHY
Going up the Country Ever since I heard a little ditty of the Canned Heat song, Going up the Country, with lyrics based on the Delta Ditch Run Regatta, I just knew I had to do that regatta. I remember dreaming about going over 10 knots with the spinnaker up and sunshine on my shoulders. The course is simple: Start in San
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ing Tigers wound their way upriver. These sailors just need Mas, and when left with opportunity to slip through New York Slough they take it. There is so much Moore to love about this course, as songs about the river and life along the Delta can be observed through the bowwave spray and sunscreen now running off your forehead into your eyes. There are usually two places along this course that require the spinnaker to be doused and white sails set when the apparent wind just gets too far forward. This year, with gusts now solidly in the 30s, it was either shy kites or white sails or yard sales for those who just don't learn. Photo boats caught some of the story. Stockton's fabled hospitality shone through the virus. That crack sailing couple showed their stern light to the fleet, and the family of four were next at the hoist. As the rest of the fleet slipped in, physical distance was challenging, with airborne high fives and kudos to your rivals. Looking forward to when we can all go yachting again and all those flags and protests and colorful repartee that goes along with it. Until then, I guess we're just sailing. — captain midnight, out Show n Go in Whiskeytown Shelter -in-place protocols forced Whiskeytown Sailing Club to cancel their usual Memorial Day Weekend Whiskeytown Regatta. The more DIY Show n Go took its place. "Although the regatta has been canceled, we are going to race anyway," announced Mike Strahle in mid-May. "We will start racers at 12 noon Saturday and Sunday at the Brandy Creek Marina log boom, just beyond the boat launch. Each racing class must call the course, keep their own scores, and figure results. No skippers' meeting, no registration, no official race committee, no trophy ceremony, no camping. Race 2 will be around 2 p.m. both days. Afterward, the racers can grab a nice dinner in Redding, BBQ at the lake, or whatever." The following week, Mike reported: "We had a great Show n Go Regatta at Whiskeytown Saturday and Sunday, "The Open Keelboat Class fielded seven boats. First place went to Carl