A
fter racing we repaired to our host’s lodging with Judy Walsh in Sausalito, a
beautiful house, perched high on the side of the hill over looking the city to the
south. How lucky we were. Judy’s husband Jerry Langkammerer used to race Volker
USA 113 and 116 and there were Folkboat pictures all over the house about a 20
minute drive from Tiburon.
The second day (Tuesday) was the first proper racing day, over at the SF City
Waterfront. The scene of many International Championships for big and small yachts,
including of course, the America’s Cup and in front of the St Francis Yacht Club, where
most of the Folkboats are moored and raced.
Weather and spreader marks were set near the foot of the GGB, out of the famous
tide, finally, but also in a rather light air area, making the approaches rather tricky. This
quite heavy day produced some terrific photographs (links at the end of this article)
of the fleet with the GGB and Alcatraz in the background. We acquitted ourselves
reasonably, with Claire getting the hang of the long whisker pole, for poling out the jib
downwind (no spinnakers). Everyone sailed flat, making it not very tactical downwind
and with two crew members on the bow! Ashore later on the deck of the CYC every
night we had two barrels of beer to drink, which helped proceedings along, once long
johns and foul weather gear had been removed.
The third day was over at the Olympic Berkeley Circle with quite shallow water but
two or three tidal streams. One had to go right for the ebb in the channel towards the
end of the beat and if we had known, then hard left to get the ebb out of the south
bay which produced the winning formula. In the background was the famous GGB,
half consumed with fog and at its best. Wind was SSW 25 knots, sunny and cold. We
struggled a bit here with our old ladies gear (boat)!, but we got the hang of her and the
area and were not last.. ..
One has to mention the sea life that we saw from all the birds, including Pelicans, to
seals, sea lions, dolphins and also breeching Grey Whales to boot! Quite wonderful.
That night we went home and changed and nearly missed the skits (!) meeting, when
one is invited to sing, recite or perform a skit. We arrived back at the club at the
appointed hour to find the Danes, Germans and the Swedes, all having eaten and
drunk the beer and were uncatchable on the Skits course. Doug heard the Brits being
called to the podium and recited John Masefield’s poem “I must go down to the Sea
again” to good applause, a great effort.
Thursday we were back on the SF City Waterfront in lighter airs where we finally got
the hang of it all and on race three of the day we got away in a group of four from
the pack, from the usual light airs near the GGB marks. Near the downwind gate,
the leaders one and two USA and Germany were fighting it out, and Den 803 and
GBR 734 saw their chance. On the final beat, the leaders went right into the beach
where there was less wind and still strong flood tide, whereas 100 meters from the
left gate mark, the tide was still slack and later on further out still ebbing, just like the
Solent; we went left alone, and won quite easily. We heard later that the Danes kicked
themselves, but drank more beer. (all week!)
Folkboat USA - San Francisco
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