A Warm Wednesday Night Race at Coyote Point Yacht Club

It had been a hot day ashore, the temperature climbing into the 90s around San Mateo. Out on the Bay, though, the air was cooler, the wind settled into a comfortable 10 to 12 knots, and seven boats found themselves with one of those September evenings that seemed to improve as it went along.

The course was simple, with long runs: start to C, 6, 8, and the marina for the finish. The race started with a slack current that shifted to a flood.

Sirius started the race as the rabbit. Paradigm, crossed first after the rabbit start, while Lorelei took the high road. Zephyr and Sweet Grapes joined the chase, and by Charlie, Paradigm had established the lead with the rest of the fleet still very much in reach.

On the run toward 6, things tightened. Paradigm remained in front, while Sweet Grapes and Lorelei arrived nearly overlapped among the leaders. Sweet Grapes rounded 6 in second.

Then the evening acquired some color.

One spinnaker opened, then another, then a third. Paradigm and Sweet Grapes set theirs, along with Zephyr, and suddenly three bright sails were moving across the Bay beneath a sky beginning its own transformation.

Meanwhile, Wings, sailed by David Beede, made excellent use of the handicap. While everyone else had been busy rearranging themselves, Wings emerged with a substantial lead. Paradigm was second, Sweet Grapes third, and Zephyr close behind and asking questions.

The long run home began to change things again. Paradigm steadily reeled in Wings as the marina drew closer. Sweet Grapes did the same. Near the channel entrance, Paradigm and Wings engaged in a short tacking duel, with Paradigm finally getting through to take the lead. Sweet Grapes and Wings then had a little match of their own, and Sweet Grapes found the advantage.

At the finish it was Paradigm first, Sweet Grapes second, Wings third, and Lorelei fourth.

And above all of it was the sunset: broad bands of late light spreading across the western sky, reflected in the water, and catching the sails as the fleet headed home. Sometimes the race provides the story. Sometimes the evening itself insists on a share of the credit.

Seventeen people stayed for dinner, which seemed an appropriate way to let the night linger.