505 Team McLube squeaks out a victory at St Francis Regatta

The fifth of the six California worlds shipping qualifier events was held over June 27th and 28th. Fifteen teams competed in 6 races, 3 each day. Saturday morning had all the signs for a big blow. The fog line was at the bridge and the breeze was out of the west at about 10 knots. Unfortunately the wind did not fill in that hard until mid way through the last race. Saturday's races were sailed in this shifty spotty building breeze. The racing was very tight and starting and first beats were very important. In every race the leader at the first mark was able to extend their lead and win the race while everyone else fought it out in the pack. The smart and fast team of Jim Maloney and the illustrious Dr. Jeff Miller led the day with a 1,2,1 over Team McLube's Mike Martin and Howard Hamlin with a 2,1,2. Rising stars Ben Benjamin and Andy Beckman had a good day with a 3,4,4.

After sailing, the gang all met in the St. Francis YC bar to discuss the day of racing. Later, the gang took off into town to try to find some dinner and straight women.

Sunday was overcast and did not look promising, but the wind filled in at about 15 to 18 knots by the second race, providing some good racing.

After being absent for day one Dave Shelton and Bruce Edwards led race four followed by Mike and Howard. Just after rounding the leeward mark Mike and Howard's rudder fell off causing quite a commotion as Mike was swimming around trying to put the rudder back on while other boats were rounding the leeward mark.

Ed. Let me guess, surfin' Dude Howard doesn't swim and sent Mike in after the rudder?

Jim and Jeff went on to win the race with Dave and Bruce in 2nd. With only two races to go Jim and Jeff had a good lead. Mike and Howard had to win the last two races and put boats between them and Jim and Jeff. Some how they pulled it off finishing 1, 1 in the last two races with Dave and Bruce having a 2,2 and Jim and Jeff ending up with a 3,3. The regatta was decided by a tie breaker with both teams having 3 firsts, but Team McLube had two seconds to Jim and Jeff's one, giving Team McLube the victory.

Thanks to Matt and the St. Francis Yacht Club for running the event. Everyone had a good time, especially John Bonds who entered the regatta sailing a laser and then filled in for Brian Largay on the Pony on Sunday. After sailing 505 for one day, John said simply "Oh, I get it now" I think that he is hooked.

PlaceCrewDriverFinishesTotal
1Mike MartinHoward Hamlin2,1,2,4,1,111
2Jim MaloneyJeff Miller1,2,1,1,3,311
3Ben BenjaminAndy Beckman3,4,4,5,7,5 28
4Rich MundellRobin Brown 9,6,5,3,5,432
5Andy ZinnDan Thompson 6,5,3,8,4,834
6Rob WatermanThad Lieb 5,7,8,7,10,643
7Alan NormanLarry Tuttle4,3,6,6,9,16 44
8Mike SmithJohan Backsin 7,9,7,10,6,746
9Dave SheltonBruce Edwards 16,16,16,2,2,254
10Matt SandersBryan Largay 8,8,9,16,12,10 63
11Bruce Fleming Steve Anders10,10,11,11,13,11 66
12Bill BeardslyBob Noyes 16,16,16,9,8,9 74
13Per JacobsonScott Slater11,16,10,12,11,16 76
14David ByronEric Willis12,12,13,13,14,16 80
15Kirk WilsonChuck Allan16,11,12,16,16,16 87

DNS, DNF, DSQ, OCS = 16

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