The race organizers are asking that anyone planning to race to sign up by Thursday so that the chase boat can be arranged.

This is a really fun race. Don't let Dan scare you. The conditions are more mild than the typical Long Beach conditions. Last year my 62 year old crew had been on a small sailboat 4 times in his life and had never done a sailboat race.

It is a 10 mile beat from Ventura to an oil rig passing giant pods of dolphins (and keel boats) on the way, a 4 mile reach to Anacapa Island, 4 mile run in the wind shadow of the island (just in time for a snack), then a crazy 12 mile reach back to Ventura.

For anyone near by, consider how easy the logistics are. You drive up in the mourning, race, and then drive home in the evening with Sunday to recover.