The winds were modest at best this year in the 2001 Santa Barbara to King Harbor yacht race held here in California. Bill Gibb's AFTERBURNER (52' LOA) was the first official entrant to cross the finish line at just after 7 PM completing the 81 kn. mile course with just over a 10 knot average VMG. Our total distance covered after tacking angles was 120 miles making our average speed much higher.
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<br>The wind stayed in the 7-11 knot range almost all day although we did get a peak wind of about 13 knots for a few moments. Seas were dead flat and the skies were overcast.
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<br>We got to sail the boat as a "beach cat" with basically no instruments except for a GPS and a hand held wind meter thanks to last minute problems with the recent mast repair (no repair problem, just no B&G instruments techs available).
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<br>We were greeted by a standing ovation at King Harbor yacht club which has recently been infiltrated by a huge number of Multihuill enthusiasts including their commodore Mark Hansen. There were lots of hands to help at the dock and the club went all out in preparation for the incoming racers. Many thanks to both the Santa Barbara Yacht Club and King Harbor for all of their efforts in putting on a great race!
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<br>With any wind this boat will beat the record easily and I look forward to trying to do so next year...
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<br>Come join us if you have an ORCA class boat in next year's race!
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<br>Mark Michaelsen
<br>www.sailingproshop.com<br><br>Mark Michaelsen
<br>www.sailingproshop.com
<br>(800) 354-7245