Redondo sailboat racing season nears halfway point
by Garth Meyer
“An infinite number of variables on an infinite number of dimensions.”
That is sailboat racing, according to Denny Browne, King Harbor Yacht Club member and current fifth-place skipper in the summer Twilight Racing Series.
On Thursday evenings from April to September, five classes of sailboats – from 20 feet to 40 feet – each with a skipper and crew, compete on a four-mile course, depending on conditions.
Using eight sequential buoys, the course a mile offshore may be shorter on a day of less wind.
“We’re racing against each other, but we’re also racing against sunset,” said Browne.
So far, 43 boats have entered a race this year, most stationed at King Harbor.
The race series – divided into two halves – runs a first segment through June 30, and the second July 2-September 22.
Spectators can watch from The Redondo Beach Pier to see the finish, or from the south end of Hermosa Beach (or inside the Chart House) to catch the start.
The first race begins at 6:05 p.m.
Individual race winners receive a King Harbor Yacht Club tumbler glass. At the end of the season, the overall winning skipper gets their name etched on the trophy in the case inside the club.
Current leaders for the five classes as of June 14 are below. (The boat name follows the skipper’s name).
A (lowest handicap boats)
- Marty Burke, Bella Vita
- Andy Beggs, Triggerfish V
- Fred Cottrell, Tigger
B (higher handicap boats)
- Doug Laurin, New Channels
- Al Castillon, Hot Rum
- Julie Coll, Sunday Flyers
Cal 20 (one design class)
- Burr Hope, Deja Vu
- Chris Morris, Janet Lynn
- Ray McVey, Wave Dancer
H Fleet
- John Coye, Sloop John B
- Jill Allstott, Arrogante
- Ken Blight, Jubilee
V Fleet
- Bob Mackenzie & John Mitchell, Oliver
- Michael Devine, Meimi2
- Marc Jacob, Papillon ER