On Saturday, the J/105 fleet was treated to its own race course on the Berkeley Circle courtesy of Sausalito YC, relocated from the area west of Alcatraz to the Circle to make space for the America’s Cup race course. Winds started at 12 kt and quickly grew into the high 20’s range on Saturday, with reports of gusts to 50kts after racing was over and folks were motoring home. Scooter Simmons’ Blackhawk dominated the first day of racing with a 4th and two bullets, while Bruce Stone and the team on Arbitrage were just three points behind with a 2, 4, 3. Mojo and Godot were tied for third a couple more points back. With such a closely bunched crowd, the regatta was anyone’s to win going into Sunday. Arbitrage was called over early in the first race, but clawed back for a hard-earned second, and then turned in another consistent race, finishing third, to nail the top spot on the podium despite no bullets. Mojo took second and Godot third. Past regatta winner Risk was just off the pace in this event but managed a bullet in the last race to secure 4th, while Blackhawk slid down to fifth place while sailing on Sunday with a borrowed boat after breaking their furler in Saturday’s heavy winds.
Next race is the Swiftsure regatta out of the St Francis Yacht Club – register here.