Coyote Point Yacht Club Hosts Frank Ballentine Memorial Race

On Saturday, May 2, six boats set out under a gray sky and a steady westerly. It was the kind of day that asks for clean lines and keeps a quiet ledger of every choice. Their purpose was to compete in Coyote Point Yacht Club’s Frank Ballentine Memorial Race. The race is part of CPYC’s regatta series, which runs from January 1 through November 7.

Svea, Surprise!, Will O’ The Wind, Paradigm, Vita e Bella, and Sweet Grapes took their starts in pursuit, each chasing the same horizon from a different minute.

The early order held together through C and on to A, the fleet stretched but connected, like a thought still forming. Sweet Grapes, delayed at the start by a fouled halyard, worked to rejoin, the fix coming just in time to keep the race alive.

At 6, the shape of things began to change. Will O’ The Wind carried her lead, but Paradigm pressed close, then slipped ahead at the second rounding of A with a move that felt both patient and inevitable.

Down the course, sails rose and fell with intent. Svea set a spinnaker and found pace. Sweet Grapes followed, passing Will O’ The Wind on the way to Z, then lost ground in a stubborn douse that carried her wide and long before settling back into the race.

From C to 8, the fleet drew tight. Svea led. Paradigm advanced. Surprise! held steady, with Vita e Bella closing in, each boat within sight, within reach, within the same small margin after miles of water.

On the final run, Paradigm found the line and took it. Svea held second. Surprise! secured third, with Vita e Bella pressing just behind.

After more than 10 miles, the front four arrived nearly together, separated by yards, not minutes.

A pursuit race that, in the end, came down to presence.