Ullman Sails LBRW | Schock 35 One Design Report

 Long Beach Race Week – Schock 35 Class

By Mike Price

Schock 35 Start at Ullman Sails LBRW

The Schock 35 fleet is making their comeback in California and Ullman Sails Long Beach Race Week was the chosen venue for their West Coast Championship. The fleet of six boats has grown to seven with the addition of Baz Darcy’s “BULLY,” joining the fun with his team in their first one-design regatta.

Schock 35 downwind during Ullman Sails LBRW

Wind conditions challenged the fleet on Friday and Saturday with large shifts giving the fleet some lead changes during each leg. Sunday brought in the “Long Beach breeze,” that saw Bob Marcus’ “CODE BLUE,” losing a crew member overboard at a weather rounding. His team safely recovered their mate without injury. Bob would then battle back to win the regatta, followed by Ted Thompson of “WHIPLASH,” taking 2^nd and “Mark Hinrichs,” of “STRATEGEM,” narrowly edged out Larry Leveille’s “UNCLE BOB,” in the final race to take the final seat of the podium.

Ullman Sails Long Beach Race Week provided an excellent weekend of sailing and the skippers and crews of the growing Schock 35 fleet are eagerly awaiting the fun next year.

All Pictures by Bronny Daniels at www.JoySailing.com

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Ullman Sails LBRW | Ryan Davidson Reports from the J-111 "Picosa"

Ullman Sails Newport Beach's new Production manager, Ryan Davidson, is racing on the new J-111 "Picosa" and here is his mid-regatta report. 

"Awesome day today on the sweet J-111, Picosa! We had a rough start in the first race, being forced over early at the gun. However, we were able to escape freely to the left side of the fleet and hooked into a nice left shift to bounce us back to mid fleet by the first mark. Out boat speed was great all day. Since it's PHRF, it's often hard to get exact bearings on other boats in the fleet since everyone has different modes for their boats. But overall we felt like we were gaining all the time. Every downwind it seemed like we were able to hook into nice pressure and soak just a few degrees lower than the competition. This helped us rally back in our first race to 4th across the line, and 3rd on corrected time for the race. 

Our second start was just we wanted. We were able to hold a lane off the pin and tack  on to port as soon as we wanted. With the breeze as far left as 185, we knew port tack would be the long tack. We hooked into the left shift and pushed out to starboard lay line. We rounded the top mark in 4th. From there, the tight fleet covered each other around the course, leaving us with another 3rd place, corrected. 

The third race was quite similar. The race committee postponed the start  after the warning to reset the line. This left us with a boat favored start line. We started in the middle of the line with great speed and a great lane. We were able to tack to port and progress up the course while crossing bows. We continued out right while the leaders crossed us and fought each other to the middle left. We rounded close behind in 4th at the top mark. We chased down 3rd place to round even with them, but had a rough douse around the mark. Unfortunately we all know how important boat handling is! We rounded the top mark just behind the other J111 in the fleet, Stampede. It was quite the battle downwind with them, but we were able to narrowly beat them out at the line to finish 3rd, (yes...again) corrected. 

It's a three way tie for first currently with us, E Ticket, and Mexican Divorce.  Should make for some great racing tomorrow!!"

Ryan Davidson

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Ullman Sails LBRW | J-70 Day Two Report

J-70 Day Two Report 

By Bruce Cooper

Day 2 racing in the J70 Class was tight with the RC hoisting the I flag on all three races to keep the general recalls to a minimum. All three races got off with only one general recall. Not bad. However, the wind prediction was for more wind but the wind stayed between 180 and 200° at 6 to 9knots.
This lighter wind really put stress on the skipper and crew to keep the boat moving fast but take some tacks to stay in the best lanes for wind and current. Basically you had to risk a little to get a little.
USA-32 led the first race at the windward mark and leeward gate. In the light and shifty conditions, it proved difficult to cover the left and right by sailing the left middle and right middle, getting passed by 4 boats from the far left before the windward mark. USA 32 finished 5th with Scott D's CAKE taking a well deserved first place.

Race 2 showed no increase in breeze with the wind staying left. Getting a front row start in the 26 boat fleet is crucial for a good lane. rounding in the top six at the first buoy USA 32 had a good spinnaker hoist and held a good starboard lane all the way to the gybe. First to the gate was catapult, we picked the left gate because the right gate had more traffic. USA 32 rounded the gate in good standing, but shortly found out the other gate had better wind and leverage, giving them an immediate advantage. The goal on the upwind legs was to get to a corner, preferably the left, but not too far. Catapult led again and held their lead, with a strong 2nd place finish by Flojito y Cooperando. With a semi shrimp hoist at the mark, USA 32 slipped a place or two, and finished 8th.

Race 3 began with the race committee resetting the line and buoys because of an even more left shift. We couldn't believe these conditions in long beach, we are scratching our heads wondering if we were racing in San Diego or Newport Beach! USA 26, USA 32, and Sugoi fought for the pin with USA 26 getting an early lead on the left side. USA 32 sailed a little too conservative by not sailing up towards the port layline for the final approach to the buoy. By coming in on starboard tack, this left the door open for boats to slip in from the left. USA 32 rounded mid fleet with a good hoist, and switched to attack mode. Staying on starboard gybe, as part of the J70 downwind train, USA 32 passed a couple of boats that gybed out early. At the leeward gate, USA 32 had caught up with most of the top 10, and had opted for the right favored, but more crowded gate. This proved to be a good tactic, letting USA 32 sail out the the left where there was still an increase in pressure and a steady left shift. On the final beat, USA 32 sailed the left middle and had some success passing boats and finishing strong.

It was a great day racing and we are happy with the performance and our effort so far.  One more day!

Bruce Cooper

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