StFYC EZ Regatta report

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Eric Anderson

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May 24, 2026, 3:07:50 PM (9 hours ago) May 24

to 505-usa-west-coast, 505 East Coast Google Group, 505 Northwest

For the west coast sailors who paled at the 6000 mile journey to Garda last weekend, StFYC delivered a standard 10-20 knots of shifty racing at the 2026 Elvestrom Zellerbach regatta. Saturday was forecasted to be full on but didn't quite materialize, so instead the fleet sailed 3 races in 10 building to 18kts and a dying flood tide. Clean starts + balancing "go left for flood relief" with "don't get stuck at the beach with no wind" was the name of the game. The RC took a short nap between races 1 and 2, so the 505's organized a rabbit start + first wdwd leg themselves. By the end of race 3 the breeze was steadily topping 20, and the fleet headed in to enjoy some lasagna, beer, and conversation.

Sunday was forecasted to be much lighter, but we turned the harbor corner and were greeted with an immediate 12 knots that slowly built to ~18. The RC fired off 3 races, with Eric/Nic and Mike/Adam fighting for the lead and Tim/Pat and Clark/Blaine duking it out for the last podium spot. The course became slightly more open upwind and the breeze was slightly more right, so playing the middle of the course worked nicely on the upwind, especially towards the top where the left corner was getting light and squirrely. After racing, the fleet packed up and then enjoyed a taco buffet at awards.

A few personal takeaways:

- My permanent Crissy forecast is now 10-25 from 250-290.

- Tactics >> boatspeed for this regatta

- Tuning notes- on our new MEB main we are shroud cars back and ram down earlier- probably one click further on both throughout the 12+ range.

A couple callouts:

- Congrats Dave/Pete on your first 505 regatta; we're excited to see you at more in the future!

- Great sailing Tim/Pat (and Tim/Aaron the weekend before in Santa Cruz)- they were podium contenders at both events, helped in part by Tim's new boat. Ask Mike Martin about working for the Americas Cup and he'll tell you he never did less sailing in his life, but apparently the same thing is not true for 505 class president.

- Thanks Clark/Blaine for making the trip down, it was great catching up and having you on the starting line.

Results: https://theclubspot.com/regatta/DvWydBVpcN/results

Photos: https://www.google.com/url?q=https://stfyc.pixieset.com/2026elvstromzellerbachregatta/felixweidling/&source=gmail&ust=1779732665957000&usg=AOvVaw0ODF1zHHDdtML7Z0DhsMe6