WITH the 2023 Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series bidding farewell, and thanks to the sun-soaked action in St. Petersburg, Florida, in February, the series swapped coasts in March for the second stop in San Diego, birthplace of West Coast civilization and the California burrito, and a mecca of year-round sailing that churns out champions. Ninety-six boats across 13 fleets set out from the San Diego and Coronado yacht clubs each morning to the dual racecourses of San Diego Bay and the vast Pacific. On the ocean course, local Beneteau 36.7 sailors witnessed one of the greatest upsets in modern class history when Peter Cochran's Rode Rage crew halted the 11-year regatta winning streak of Chick Pyle and his team on Kea. It was indeed a battle of the Bennies that came down to the final races. In the first, Rode Rage escaped from a crowded start and put up its first win of the day while Kea had to battle back from a botched start to finish third. It was enough for Cochran and company to simply cover Kea in the final race, and it was all said and done-until next time, Pyle says.
The San Diego regatta also featured Para Sailing for the first time, with Martin 16s and Hansa 303s trading tacks in the protection of Coronado's Glorietta Bay. It was a sight to behold, with Hansa skipper Jim Thweatt using his Hansa series win to boost awareness of Para Sailing locally and abroad.
This story is from the Fall 2023 edition of Sailing World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Fall 2023 edition of Sailing World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Tips for More Successful Epoxy Projects
That have nothing to do with epoxy mixing or application techniques
THE MULTITASKING MULTIHULL MOM
Competing in Olympic sailing's most challenging discipline is one thing, but doing so with a tyke in tow takes the campaign hustle to a higher level.
BORN TO SOAR
The kiteboard racing superstar is leaning into the sport that has defined her entire young adult life, propelled across wave tops with an all-consuming goal of a medal.
THE SECRET WEAPON
The top one-design teams know exactly who to call when the job description entails flawless crew work, unrelenting boatwork, and a commitment to winning.
The Arrivals
For more than four decades, photographer extraordinaire Sharon Green has captured sailing in a way that is all her own: impossibly rich and colorful images that are always technically perfect and composed. The arriving yachts of the Transpac Race are her favorite subjects, and for this year's arrivals, the elements all aligned.
HOT COMBINATION
THIS BUDDING TEAM-RACE REGATTA PROVIDES MORE THAN JUST GOOD, FAST-PACED RACING; IT'S SETTING WOMEN'S SAILING ABLAZE.
Jacques Coon's Drift Boat Build
In the summer of 2018, I saw a Jason Cajune drift boat in the lobby of the Sage Lodge located near the Yellowstone River, in Montana's famed Paradise Valley
THIS IS GOING TO HURT
Everyone makes mistakes on the racecourse-that's how we get smarter and faster. But sometimes, as the saying goes, you just can't fix stupid
THESE BADGERS GO BIG
Collegiate offshore regattas provide inland teams the opportunity to develop big-boat skills and sail in premier offshore locations
BREAKING THROUGH THE BOTTLENECK
One local initiative proves that funneling dinghy sailors out of college sailing and into big-boat racing takes commitment from all sides
