This month’s race result is a compilation of inputs from the racers on board Marilee, Casamar and His Knot Hers.

October is the Santana season which brings the coastal areas hot, dry and windy conditions off the desert.  The October race for the SDSPS Sail Fleet enjoyed variable winds in the range of 10 to 15 knots; and the inevitable lulls.  The SDSPS Sail Fleet again shared the starting line with the Ancient Mariners.  Marilee started well, with the Ancient Mariners, but VHF communication with Casamar allowed her to return to the starting line and start with the SDSPS racers who had delayed their start to 1215.  The good winds favored Marilee on the long leg to R26 in the south bay.  On the downwind leg His Knot Hers flew wing on wing using their whisker pole and closed on Casamar, also wing on wing but without their whisker pole.  Casamar’s skipper Dave Baer was taking it easy on his crew after their 1st place finish on the San Diego to Ensenada race the weekend before.  At the halfway mark, R26, Marilee’s lead was some 200 meters ahead of Casamar but had some whisker pole trouble at the turn, wrapped the genoa around the forestay and gave up her lead to Casamar.  On the return leg back up the bay Marilee almost missed a mark and returned to correct her error.  She was able to recover and it appeared to be a Casamar V.S. Marilee duel back up the bay; but His Knot Hers sneaked up on the 10th Street Terminal, Seaport Village side of the bay and joined the tacking fray past FM 19 to the finish line. In the end it was a near photo finish with Marilee crossing the finish line a mere 20 seconds ahead of Casamar with His Knot Hers close behind.  All crews met at SWYC for after race refreshments and a good laugh at their follies.

So, who won the race?  Well, Marilee is definitely improving this year but needs a consistent crew to avoid numerous, time consuming errors.  Casamar sails consistently well and is now hampered only by her low handicap.

First place congratulations again go to John Isaksen and crew on His Knot Hers.  Second goes to Dave Baer and (tired) crew on Casamar.  Third place goes to Mike Collins and crew River Bob Chapman, with son Carrie, Dorin Milne and Sean Mac Ardle.

There is only one race left this year.  If you would like to join us Mike Collins would welcome extra crew.  His 47 foot Beneteau is very commodious!

Race results are attached and printed below.  Hope to see you on the bay for the November race.

Humbly submitted by,
Don Litzenberg,
SDSPS Sail Fleet co-chair