‘Akela’ Sets New PV Race Record

Los Gatos’ Bill Turpin and Southern California-based partner Dave Janes’ Bay Area-based R/P 77 Akela set new record in the San Diego YC’s Vallarta Race when it crossed the finish line off Punta Mita around 9 p.m. PST after a roughly 3.5-day run last night. Akela navigator Ernie Richau beat his own record, set when he performed the same role for Doug Baker’s Andrews 80 Magnitude 80 — a more powerful canting-keeler — in the previous edition of the 1,000-mile biennial race.

The other Bay Area boat in the 13-boat fleet, Tom Akins’ Bay Area-based TP52 Flash, finished at 11 a.m. today. The final results haven’t been posted yet as not all the boats have finished, but you can check back at the race’s website to see them when they come up.