The first race was an around Catalina race on February 11th. I had to sit this one out, as I had just had knee surgery. The stories from the crew on this one were nothing but excitement. They had rough seas and decent breezes to get them around Catalina and back. One of the boats made it in record time. Considering the storied regatta we are talking about, that says quite a bit about the weather. The Macando crew had more to say about who was sick when, and how they all handled the slamming seas than much else. OH, except the great ride home and early finish!
For races 2 & 3 the weather prediction for Saturday was benign. The front of a storm due to arrive on Sunday brought 3+ foot swells and moderate breeze. We sailed across in race 2 with some rain but without incident and arrived at the island ready for the hamburgers and the endless rum promised on the beach. LAYC delivered as promised and we ate, drank, and cooked our butts at the camp fire on the beach. A great day and evening. The crew retired early, considering the offerings on the beach, as we knew the next day would not be so simple.
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| Howlands Landing at Catalina Island, getting ready for the start |
The competitor in our class, yes there were only 2 boats in our class, decided they did not want to race home for race #3 in the projected storm, and left very early in the morning to beat it. The race committee announced an early start to get the boats back before the worst of the weather hit. We started at 1100 hrs under the cover of the island. It was blowing a steady 15 to18 kts in there. About 10 minutes before the start we decided that a single reef would be a good idea, as the predictions were for a big blow and rain later. When we went to put in the reef, we forgot that we had just blown the boom lift in a jibe. The main came down and the boom started to sweep the deck. A good screaming by a few astute crew got everyone's attention and they dove to the deck. All was gotten under control, and the reef was put in.
We sailed off the start line with the 15 -18 kts of wind and rain. As we sailed out from under the island, the wind actually lightened up. We were discussing shaking the reef, as we watched others sailing with full main. After a few minutes of bright discourse, we decided to keep it for 10 more minutes to see what happened. The wind built continuously from that point on. We were on a tight reach for the majority of the way home, then as the wind went forward, we continued to tighten up the sails, and hang on.
Some of the crew slowly faded away after being sick and not dressing appropriately. The cold, wet, and constant heavy crashing was grinding on everyone. I drove for almost 2 hours and passed the wheel on to Camilo. He took us the rest of the way home, as the wind built to over 35kts. When we entered the breakwater at Angeles Gate, Los Angeles Harbor, it was screaming. We spun the boat around and dropped the main and jib. I started the engine, and put it in gear when the main went down. I pushed it into forward and felt the engine kick in. Or, at least wind up. I did not feel the prop biting under the boat.
We were drifting fast toward the rocks inside the harbor. I screamed at Camilo to come back and see if I had put the gear shift into neutral. I thought I did and could not get it out. He gave it a wiggle and it engaged. We made our way to the slip safely and watched the anemometer continue to build close to 40 kts. Hot food and drinks helped to get us all ready to go home. We stayed on board eating and drinking as a huge wave of heavy rain passed us by.
The crew on this race consisted of Jacob Mathew, Patty Mathew, Linda (Martinez? by now...), Vadim Mantelzak, Dino Lopardo, Leon Goss, Tina Claps, Kathy St. Amant, and Skipper/Owner Camilo Martinez.
OH, before we left, on the way to the boat, in the pouring rain, I hit a MONSTER pot hole. My front tire blew out. I made it to a marina parking lot about a mile away, and called for a ride to the boat. Tina picked me up and delivered me to Macando. I called AAA on Sunday to get the spare put on... in the rain. The following week, when I took the tire in for repair, they discovered that I blew out the back one too. I should have realized this may be a sign of what is to come. I did not take the signs to heart and left the car to go sailing.
Race 4, LA Harbor, around Santa Barbara Island, and back brought predictions for MORE wind and rain. There was even warnings for water spouts out there. After much study of the weather reports, we decided to go for it. After all, Macando loves the wind, and 35kts "ain't that bad". Before the start, there was a whale at the entrance of the Harbor, right under the Angels Gate Light. AWESOME! Haa Haa, even the whales were coming inside because of the crap outside. We started in over 25+ kts of wind and headed out the gate. Who was smarter in this one, the whale or Macando? You decide.
TROPHY FOR MACANDO
On March 20th LAYC held the trophy presentation for the Times Whitney Bogart regatta. Macando took home a first place trophy for this set of races. Thanks Camilo for a great weekend!
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| Leon Goss, on the right, and Kathy St. Amant, in the middle, stand in for Camilo Martinez to receive the trophy. Photo by: Dino Lopardo |
©Kathryn St. Amant and CaptainKathy.com, 2012, All Rights Reserved
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