505 PCC's Santa Cruz

[Mike Holt]

Over this past weekend of September 14/15 Santa Cruz Yacht Club hosted the 2024 Pacific Coast Championships. Don Radcliffe and his team managed to run 5 races in what for different reasons each day, were challenging conditions. Due to a late change of venues and only a 2 day event, we had a star studded, but reduced turn out of 17 505’s. However, we had some new faces joining us and some old faces returning! Great to see you all!

Saturday was not your typical Santa Cruz day, although the fog cleared to the beach, the breeze never built above 4 or 5 knots on the race track. But despite this, Don and team managed to get 2 races away. The first a one lapper that was won in convincing fashion by AJ and Jon. Pulling out a 2nd from a mid fleet rounding, by gybe setting into a nice line of pressure were Mike and Adam and the returning Nic and Eric in 3rd. Race 2 was a 2 lapper. Rob and I managed to lead at the first, second and third marks, but could not hold off the super fast AJ and Jon who took their second win, we took 2nd and Howie and Garrett 3rd. With the little wind we had looking more marginal we were sent back to the Harbor for beer and a debrief.

As ever, the debrief was full of good information. Probably the key take aways were to keep the boat moving, flat set up upwind and then downwind pole forward and keep the boat moving with good communication.

Sunday could not have been any different! From the start the breeze was ON. We were trying out a new start technique due to a shortage of resources. We had gate starts with no Gate Boat. This meant that if you had not started at the 45 second limit you would be DNS. We also had the last placed boat as the rabbit. For race 3 that was Ian and Luke. With a generally right hand favored course this meant some decision had to be made, start early and fast, but going the wrong way, or later for an earlier tack….

Mike and Adam went the former and were able to cross, just at times to lead all 3 races at the windward mark. However, with the windspeed high, getting to the bottom of the course meant nailing lay lines, gybing well and dousing cleanly, we saw multiple lead changes with the top boats. However, when the dust settled and where it counts, they won all 3 races. Rob and I had a 2,3,2 and Nic and Eric a 3,2,3. That doesn’t tell the whole story though. Mike and Blaine in their first event together were going really well and considering the hours the first 3 teams have put into racing were looking impressive. Pete and Mike also looked good but probably the standout performance of the weekend was the father and son team of Nate and Keahi Ho, over from Maul. First time racing together and completely hanging in the light and particularly the big breeze.

Results

Thanks to all who made it for the weekend and particularly to Don and his race team and Santa Cruz Yacht Club for hosting!

Mike

[Bruce Edwards]

A special thank you to Mike Holt for organizing last minute to make the event a reality, hosting a great BBQ at his house (with Annette Holt), and doing the write up!! THANKS MIKE !

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[Craig Thompson]

Nice report Mike, thanks!

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Craig Thompson

+1 603 918 1771 (mobile) 
iqc...@gmail.com

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