So OK -- our 12 year old race crew guy, turns 13 this month, and the crew decided that the 37 mile pursuit race to San Carlos on March 15 would be a good time to get his first driving start in.

For a number of reasons I try not to drive as much as I used to and figured that investing in this Opti grad is a good plan for when I hit my 70s. (Provided the Melges 24s don't pirate him away.)

Vee Jay came in 4th, our training buddy Shock came in 2nd as a couple of screaming F24s managed to fly by us the last half mile. The last couple of hours the GPS sustained track speed 8-9 kts with a peak one shot at 10.4. [copies of this track sequence are available].

We had the Foredeck crew Randy, Grandfather that he is, drive the 18 miles back under spin as once he had set the spin, we needed his weight in the back of the boat anyway. Most of it just a bit higher than broad reach with some beam.

11 spin boats in the race.