Skip to content

Big Breeze Returns to Rolex Big Boat Series

By Christine Weaver | September 16, 2019 | San Francisco, CA |

Just in time for some exciting weekend racing, San Francisco’s ocean breeze air conditioning system turned on, complete with the return of Karl the Fog and wind gusts of up to 30 knots. On Saturday, the heavy weather precipitated a gravity storm for three unfortunate boats: the J/105s Godot and Russian Roulette and the J/88 Inconceivable.

Russian Roulette
Russian Roulette’s rig toppled forward during a downwind leg on Saturday.
© 2019 Sharon Green / Rolex
J/70 and shredded spinnaker
Shredded sails are nothing new to this regatta. Nor was the yellow-and-red spinnaker ripped on the Express 37 Eclipse. “Oh that one was old,” said skipper Sandy Andersen Wertanen. In the foreground, the J/70 Kangaroo Jockey lights up.
© 2019 Sharon Green / Rolex
Peregrine and Chance
The only two J/120s, Peregrine and Chance, had a fun duel. Meanwhile, four of their sisterships sailed in the SSS Half Moon Bay Race on Saturday.
© 2019 Latitude 38 Media LLC / Chris
Run to Alcatraz
ORR A runs down the Alcatraz course on Friday afternoon. A moderate breeze filled in on that day, but most racing didn’t start until after 3 p.m.
© 2019 Latitude 38 Media LLC / Chris
Jeannette and Invictus
Another fierce battle ensued between the Frers 40 Jeannette and the Jeanneau SunFast 3600 Invictus.
© 2019 Latitude 38 Media LLC / Chris
Bad Dog
The J/111 Bad Dog chases after a container ship. A lot of tonnage coming and going added to the complexity of the races.
© 2019 Latitude 38 Media LLC / Chris

Some faces in the crowd:

White Shadow won the first race in the J/88 class. Left to right: Anna-Pia Slothower, Andrea Finn, Chris Cartwright, skipper Jim Hopp, skipper, Malcolm Fife. Going into the last race on Sunday, White Shadow and Split Water were tied. Split Water pulled off the series win.
© 2019 Latitude 38 Media LLC / Chris
Gentoo crew
Spotted at the Mount Gay Rum Party on Friday night: Dylan Ale, Scott Easom and Paul Dorsey of the Soto 30 Gentoo. “We need more wind to plane,” said bowman Ale. Friday’s was the lightest wind of the regatta.
Ice cream VW van
Among the food trucks at the Mount Gay Rum Party was this ice cream van.
© 2019 Latitude 38 Media LLC / Chris
Favonius crew
The crew of the Dehler 46 Favonius included a few rock stars. Greg Dorn (hand on wheel) has only owned the boat since May. They finished on the podium in the 11-boat ORR A division. (Favonius was a Roman wind god.)
© 2019 Latitude 38 Media LLC / Chris

We’ll hear from the winners and have much more in the October issue of Latitude 38, coming out on October 1. Until then, check out www.rolexbigboatseries.com.

Leave a Comment





'Lectronic Latitude: Monday, Sep 16
Who Will Be Ha-Ha XXVI Entry #150?
It could be you. We’re now up to entry 148, and with the addition of the Hunter Passage 42 Dakota, have two more boys, 11 and 7, in the fleet. 
Shootin' the Breeze
Catching Up with Latitude Nation
Here are a few happenings — ranging from the newsy to the slightly ancient — from around the Latitude Nation: Labor Day Sub Sighting Sinking In .
‘Changes’ Cruisers Duck Hurricane Dorian
Josh and Christina are OK! Along with the usual conversations and questions at our Crew List Party on September 11 came an unusual one from a number of people: “How are Josh and Christina on Tish?”
More 'Lectronics »