Racing News

[dave davis]

RACING NEWS
I thought Northern and Southern California C34 owner/racers might be
interested in hearing about the 38th running of the Marina del Rey to
San
Diego Race on July 2nd & 3rd. Each year we attract racers from all over
the state and around the country-to participate in the best overnight
sailboat race around. The renewed version of the event is called
"Survive
the Night!" and it is sponsored by Santa Monica Windjammers YC of
Marina
del Rey in conjunction with Southwestern YC of San Diego.
LAST YEAR, THERE WERE SIX C34 IN THE RACE DIV AND FOUR C34 IN THE CRUSE DIV. This gang may be interested in joining a C34 national next year.

The fun starts on July 1st at the Santa Monica Windjammers YC where
there
will be an outdoor BBQ, drinks and dancing to kick-off the weekend
festivities, it all starts 1800hrs. Everyone is invited; a party mood
will
be a requirement!

The race starts on July 2nd with PHRF, ORCA and Cruising classes plus a
Double-handed Division to accompany the sailors down the coast. As in
previous years, the Cruising Division will be permitted to motor,
although
the motoring aspect will be similar to the Ensenada race, boats will be
able to motor for a longer time but you will incur a penalty the longer
you motor.

The course usually features light winds and gentle seas, and as such,
is
great for those skippers and crew new to ocean racing. This year, as an
added bonus, racers will be able to watch the spectacular fireworks
displays at San Diego’s Shelter and Harbor Islands on July 4th.

After the finish, usually 24 hours after the start, the partying will
begin in San Diego. The beautiful Southwestern YC will have slips and
raft-up accommodations for all participants. There will be a buffet
dinner, drinks, dancing and plenty of chances to tell lies about the
previous nights' racing. The trophy and awards presentation will be on
Monday, July 4th at 9:00am.

Just the same as last year, Pusser’s Rum© will sponsor the
skipper’s &
crew caps, and metal Painkiller® mugs that will be given to each entry
along with the class trophies, these will be the beautiful ceramic
decanters of Pusser’s Rum©, perpetual trophy winners will receive
the
Pusser’s Rum® ceramic hip flasks.

This is really only the beginning, we start on Monday afternoon and for
the rest of the week, a flotilla of boats head back up the coast,
harbor
hopping--with planned stops in Mission Bay, Oceanside and Dana
Point--all
the way to Isthmus Cove on Catalina Island where the partying will
continue with a series of events with Arizona Yacht Club--until we all
head home on Sunday, July 10th.

For more info, including entry forms, you can go to 2 Web sites:
www.smwyc.org (click on ‘racing’) or www.southwesternyc.org. Or you
can
call in MdR- 626) 353-3858 or in San Diego 619) 222-0438

Orlando Duran
Race Chairman
Santa Monica Windjammers' YC/Southwestern YC
Marina del Rey-San Diego Race Committee
orlando.duran@averydennison.com

[sail4dale]

Here's another race that is a great Cat34 (and other size Catalinas)outing.  The CBYC and DPYC web sites have Notice of Race and entry info.  The cruising group is gaining entries since it is such a neat Memorial Day Weekend cruise/race.  It is a race for those who don't like racing. Even slips furnished by DPYC

Cabrillo (Juan Rodriguez) & Dana (Richard Henry)  
Partners Again
One of the longest continuous running Regattas in Southern California, the "Around Catalina" race held over the Memorial Day weekend is co-sponsored by the partnership of Cabrillo Beach and Dana Point Yacht Club.  This yacht club racing partnership that survived for over 25 years is a treasure.  To celebrate these successful years, past "Overall Winners " invited to attend the Silver Anniversary Trophy Program will receive a commemorative trophy and be recognized for their accomplishment.
This race began when the Commodore Frank Dair of Cabrillo Beach and Commodore Barbara McCarthy of Dana Point Yacht clubs met   and brainstormed the idea of a "Historic Mariners Race" (Richard Henry Dana and Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo) with both clubs participating.  CBYC Rear Commodore Dave Shutte along with DPYC Rear Commodore Steve Franta pursued this plan.  The first "Historic Mariners Race" was held over the Memorial Day Weekend in May 1981.  It was a successful beginning with over 60 boats participating.  After a few years the name was changed to the "Around Catalina Race" to preclude the impression that it was an "old classic boat" race.  
This race continues to be a perennial favorite with over 50 entries last year.  For the dedicated racer, it is a challenging 75-mile race.  The weather can be unpredictable at the end of May but racers keep coming back to try it again. Boats from 23 foot length to maxi yachts such as Roy Disney's Pyewacket, Merlin, & Medicine Man, have enjoyed this "Around Catalina." challenge.  
The hospitality of both clubs with their hard working members furnishing guest ties and a complimentary continental breakfast to all the entries has been a great contribution to its success.  In past years all entries had slips waiting for them when they finished.  
PHRF, Double handed and Cruiser take-home Trophies plus Perpetual Trophies for first to finish overall, first Catalina Yacht in the PHRF fleet and Cruiser Fleet that will stay at the winners club await finishers at the Trophy Presentation Dinner at DPYC Sunday evening.
Increasing demand for "Cruiser Fleet" racing has brought additions to the "Around Catalina" 75-mile format with a cruiser course.  This 34-mile course direct to Dana Point does not require a night sail around Catalina Island.  Cruisers can race without spinnaker, with a three blade non-folding prop, a small jib, and roller furling.  The cruisers can trophy in this Division because all of these will be considered in their handicap time allowance.  
It's never too early to start thinking about Memorial Day weekend 2005.  The Silver Anniversary Race starts in LA Harbor at 11:30 AM on Saturday May 28, 2005 and finishes at the Dana Point Harbor entrance.  For those arriving early Dana Harbor offers shops to explore, walks to take, or just the warm hospitality of Dana Point Yacht Club.  The club hosts the 25th Anniversary Trophy party on Sunday evening, which includes dinner, music and dancing.  This is a sailor's "must-do" on Memorial Day Weekend May 28 & 29, 2005.
S/C Dale Thompson Race co-chairman