Photo Finish at 2nd Half Opener

The 2nd Half Opener saw a dramatic photo finish on Saturday, as two Express 37s were neck and neck on the Oakland Estuary in the final stretch to the finish line in front of Encinal Yacht Club. Nick Schmidt’s Escapade got aggressive, using their leeward advantage to take up Laurence Baskin’s Bullet before the final jibe to the line. But both boats struggled to fill their spinnakers. Bullet got it sorted while Escapade’s yellow kite was slightly twisted on the forestay, as both boats careened toward the line just inches apart. At the docks, sailors watched the duel while sipping cold beers and oh-ing and ah-ing at the spectacle.

For full results of the 2nd Half Opener, be sure to pick up the September issue.