Ullman Sails Long Beach Race Week - Day 1
by Betsy Crowfoot 23 Jun 2018 07:10 BST
22-24 June 2018
One-hundred-thirty-six entries, representing 51 yacht clubs, turned out for a glorious first day of Ullman Sails Long Beach Race Week.
Despite a gloomy morning and weather forecast, "Long Beach delivered!" said co-chair Chuck Clay.
By the start of today's first race, the marine layer had burnt off and the modest southerly flow began shifting right. Soaring inland temperatures drew in the ocean breeze, swiftly ratcheting to a 14-knot wind from 230-degrees.
"This last week has been cloudy and the forecast didn't look too good," said Don Smith from Team Ayres-Satariano, defending Catalina 37 National Champion.
"But the westerly filled in, and we had our full contingent on the rail; it ended up being a great day."
That contingent of sailors was "a little rusty," Smith admitted, saying the crew convenes just once a year for this popular annual event. After two races Ayres-Satariano sat in seventh place in the 11-boat one-design fleet. "Everyone had their ups and downs today," Smith added. "It'll be interesting to see the positions at the end of the weekend."
Ullman Sails Long Beach Race Week is a perennial favorite of sailors from up and down the Pacific Coast, and beyond. In addition to the 51 clubs represented on the race course, the event pulls from a robust community of boating organizations, including hosts Long Beach Yacht Club and Alamitos Bay Yacht Club, plus another eight yacht clubs involved in Race Committee and Jurying.
Nearly 1,000 racers competed on three separate courses in 14 different one-design and PHRF classes. Taking an early lead in the three-day regatta was Margaritaville, in PHRF A, with two bullets. Also scoring dual wins today were the Farr 40 Coquille, J/120 Caper, and Schock 35 Code Blue. It's All Good and Boomslang tied for first in Viper 640; as did Midlife Crisis and Argyle Campbell's #3J, in J/70s.
By day's end, the din and flurry of sailors derigging boats and folding sails could be heard throughout Alamitos Bay, as they prepared for the first of many regatta parties. Racers enjoy a live band, complimentary hors d'oeuvres and no-host bar on the lawn of ABYC Friday from 5 to 9PM. Free water taxi service is available to transport sailors between the clubs.
Tight racing is expected to continue tomorrow, Saturday June 23, with a scheduled three races starting at 11:55AM in local waters, followed by a Post-Race Mount Gay Rum Party with music, dancing, complimentary hors d'oeuvres and no host bar, will be at LBYC. Sunday's Prize-giving, also at LBYC, features hors d'oeuvres and no host bar.
For complete results and event schedule please visit www.lbrw.org.