Vallejo Season Opener - Race No. 1 on Saturday, May 4, 2002
It was a pretty typical Vallejo race on Saturday. A little cold in the morning, and shorts and tee shirts by the Richmond San Rafael Bridge. While the weather cooperated the current didn't. A substantial ebb made the run to Vallejo not only long but very challenging. After rounding the weather mark, the fleet split. Most of the boats stayed high, staying in the current but keeping the wind. A few went low to hug the Richmond shore but with less breeze. In the end it didn't seem to matter which way you went because the leaders of both groups met at the Richmond San Rafael Bridge. From there it appeared to be better to stay out in the current to keep the wind instead of working the shore in the dirty air from the other fleets. Once past the brothers there emerged five leaders, Bella Rosa, Black Hawk, Good Timing, Orion and Tiburon. They were all working the shallow water on the right side of the course. Good Timing kept the lead most of the way, while the other boats changed positions constantly. At the shipping dock there were four left. Black Hawk was the first one to make a dash for the other side looking to hug the shallow water off the Vallejo break water. Tiburon followed shortly, while Bella Rosa and Good Timing decided to milk the last relieve off the pier before crossing. As it turned out, it was better to wait to cross. When the boats met at the break water, Good Timing was in the lead followed by Bella Rosa, Black Hawk, and Tiburon. As they approached the turning mark at the entrance to the Napa river, Black Hawk was able to work inside Bella Rosa and Good Timing to round first. Meanwhile Tiburon ran aground trying to work the inside and was out of the picture. Bella Rosa moved into second when Good Timing bore off to round mark number three. (not a mark of the course). Now the crucial decision. When do you drop your kite? Black Hawk dropped to early allowing Bella Rosa to sail under underneath her into first place. Once in that position there were no passing lanes so Bella Rosa went on to win.