(San Diego, CA)- The Sinhoffer Hot Rum Regatta series always seems to be
full of surprises for all who’ve sailed the event over the course of
time. Such a seemingly simple course, using the classic “pursuit-style”
starting sequence with small(slowest) boats starting first and fastest
last, is never quite what it seems as the boats head out to the starting
line. Other than weather that can be impacted by late summer highs
bathing the fleet in warm sun and light winds or massively fast weather
systems blown down from the Bering Straits whipping the eastern Pacific
into a frenzy and throwing overcast clouds, 15-30 kts SW winds and 10-15
seas at the fleet, the big “gotcha” is often how the winds (or lack
thereof) flow over the monstrous promontory known as Point Loma. As a
result, many a Hot Rum Series leader has seen their chances blown in the
final few hundred yards sailing into the finish line off Shelter
Island.This year’s three weekend series saw just about every weather condition imaginable. The first weekend was fraught with almost no wind with most big boats barely finishing and most littler boats having to take DNFs (sometimes entire divisions!). The second go-around saw a gorgeous sunny day with 5-8 kts of breeze from the West. Then, the final weekend was cool, partly cloudy with foggy drizzle and a strong breeze of 10-20 kts from the SW.
With a fast-growing and strong presence already in Southern California, it was only a matter of time that J/70s started to pop-up on the radar screen and do some damage even in the handicap-racing world. Sailing in what is arguably one of the toughest fleets, Jeff Brown’s J/70 took top honors followed by Dave Vieregg’s SOGGY DOLLAR in third overall in class. Next up with a good series was Tomm Reilly’s J/100 JASWINDER. Of note, the J/70 fleet was not going to be denied, winning every race in class with Eric Kownacki’s DFZ taking one and Karl Pomeroy’s ZERO TO 60 taking the other. Sailing photo credits- San Diego YC/ Bronny Daniels- Joysailing.com For more San Diego YC Hot Rum sailing information
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