In 1928 Raymond "Frenchy" LaDreau arrived on West Anacapa Island and lived a hermit-like existence for the next 28 years. Frenchy's wife had died, it was said, and he'd come to the island in a state of mourning. As the years passed, Frenchy's sorrow over the loss of his wife did not lessen and his drinking increased. Despite this (or because of this), Frenchy LaDreau became the unofficial Park Service representative, reporting on acts of vandalism and island activities. When he was 68, he suffered a fall and the Park Service decided to move him to the mainland. He was put on a bus in Port Hueneme. "His destination was not known," a Park representative says, "and that was the last they ever saw of him." Not a single scrap of wood, a nail, a stone, remains to suggest his curious, long tenancy.
He was well-known among fisherman from Monterey to Ensenada; fishermen often stopped in to sample his bouillabaisse from the lobster he trapped, the fish he caught and the abalone he pried from the rocks below.
The above is fact, below is legend…
What else did they come for? Could it be his secret supply of rum? Isolated as he was, Frenchy could have served as a supply depot for rum smugglers during the Prohibition.
Therefore, we are having a race in his "honor".

THE ENTRY: The race is open to all racers, whether they are members of a yacht club or not. The entry fee is $30 for non-Ventura Sailing Club members and $20 for VSC members. ($5 discount for USSA members).

THE COURSE: Mandalay Buoy to Frenchy's Cove on Anacapa Island (rounding mark coordinates distributed at the Captain's Meeting), finishing in the Ventura Harbor entrance channel.

THE RULES: The race will be governed by the rules as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing. The Sailing Instructions will be passed out at the Captains' Meetings to be held at the Ventura Harbor launch ramp. Sign-ups will be accepted from 0800-0845. Captains' meeting will be at 0845. First start will be at 1100.

THE CLASSES: PHRF-handicapped spinnaker and non-spinnaker monohull, ORCA, and beachcat classes. Classes may be modified as necessary to accommodate all boats at the Captain's Meeting.

HARDWARE FOR THE MANTLE: Trophies/prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place boats in each class, depending on class size. Results will be posted Saturday evening after the race at the VSC clubhouse (upstairs at the Victoria Pub and Grill), and later on the VSC website. The awards ceremony will be at the VSC clubhouse at 1830 on Tues. July 7th.

For further info call Will Yount, 805-984-7999, write to wjyount@yahooDOTcom, or visit www.venturasailingclubDOTorg.