Corinthian Yacht Club Midwinters Were All Backward
It only happens in the winter, and that’s part of the fun. Setting a spinnaker to head toward the Golden Gate is an unusual experience for many San Francisco Bay racers, but it was all part of a pretty idyllic first weekend of the Corinthian Yacht Club Midwinters. Despite heavy competition from the football playoffs, 93 boats signed up to sail. All were rewarded with a much better alternative to the couch-potato lifestyle. The breeze blew a reasonably steady 8-12 from the northeast, with a significant but fading ebb on both afternoons. Both Saturday and Sunday featured downwind starts, putting a premium on not being over early with a spinnaker half hoisted. Most seemed to get away cleanly.
On a ‘normal’ summer weekend an ebb means a big, wet chop, but not necessarily for midwinters. The ebb and northeasterly combo meant flat-water, dry-deck sailing for both afternoons. These ideal conditions also meant the starts got off on time. Even those who don’t care about football got around the course and were tied up and at the bar in time to see the Niners score on their first drive down the field. The final races in the Corinthian Midwinters will be held on Presidents’ Day weekend, February 15-16.
You can see the standings to date here.