August 2020

The Channel Islands are just 20 miles off the coast of Southern California, but offer all you could ever ask for in a cruising area.

Though there is less racing, there is plenty of 'just sailing', as summer weekends have filled the Bay with mariners escaping life ashore.

Many of us have either fallen into or carefully sought out a fleet of racing boats that has those magic ingredients: fun boating experience, talented fleet members, competitive on-course racing, and off-the-water camaraderie.

In the age of pandemics and shelter-in-place lockdowns, a minor miracle happened. There was an organized official race around the Farallones.

Without accurate readouts for wind angles, wind and water speed, and computed values for true wind and VMG, he was lost.

We visit Lake Tahoe north and south. We check in with beer can races from South Lake Tahoe Windjammers, Corinthian, Oakland and Encinal YCs. The Pacific Cup goes virtual, the SSS plans to Round the Rocks, and the US Sailing Team Men's 49er sailors train in Santa Cruz.