An amazingly successful regatta considering these uncertain times, it was gratifying to see so many travel to San Carlos, Mexico for our 31^st Annual Fall Regatta. It's hard to believe this regatta has been active for 31 years. We had 26 sailboats registered which is the highest number we have had for some years.
Saturday the day started off calm with flat seas, but as the start got under way the wind picked up a little had we had a slow but good start. As the day progressed the boats spread out over the racecourse, coming together towards the finish line for some exiting close racing.
Saturday evening we gathered at the Marina Cantina for the usual cocktail party and some wonderful stories and tails of the day's event.
The Sunday race started about the same as Saturday with the wind clocked around a little we had a close hauled reach to the first mark and then a wonderful run to the island. The wind and seas built up all day and made for some fine sailing with close finishes.
Sunday evening was a real treat, the winds died down and the temperature dropped a little to make for a perfect evening.
With drinks in hand and music in the background it was time for some socializing with old friends and new, and more stories and tales of the race. You could hear the usual if only I had tacked a little later or I should taken the island on the inside. This is all part of the fun and excitement of the regatta.
The evening events got under way with the start of the raffle and some amazing prizes, the ever-vigilant staff of the Fiesta Hotel served a wonderful dinner as the raffle continued and the prizes given out.
With dinner over and raffle prized depleted it was time for the Awards presentation and the farewells to old friend and new.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the all the skippers for taking part and especially those who traveled so far.
A special thanks to the skipper and crew of the committee boat, Jerry Helm, and Jean Owen for a job well done. Thank you Ned Pos for doing such a great job in the chase boat, setting the marks and making sure all the boats finished safely. Also thanks to the members and friends for their help at the registration table. A special thanks to the raffle committee Ann and John Lubliner, Deana Pos, for all there hard work. Thanks also to Dana Deeds for doing some advanced organization in San Carlos.
Thanks also to Heidi Grossman and her staff at the marina, and congratulations Heidi on your engagement.

Start making you plans for the May 2002 Regatta.

DId we have fun?   You bet.' Twenty-six sail-boats registered for the 31st TSC Fall Regatta. There were three multi-hulls. A Corsair F-24, Osprey, sailed by Douglas Stoney and a crew of five, two of which were large dogs. They romped about the deck between the three hulls having a great time providing entertainment at the starting line. The other two were a Sol Cat 18 sailed by Kevin Briem and a group of sailors from Idaho and a Hobie 18 sailed by Wayne Maxie.
        The Race Committee under the able direction of Rex Weedon put on an excellent program Thursday and Friday before the race were warm, with high humidity and little wind. Friday afternoon was spent rafted up in Margarita Cove. Half Cat the Spirit 28 owned by Scott & Loretta played host. Hanging out on the hook at Margarita Cove is not a bad way to spend an afternoon.
        Saturday was cool and crisp. The 11:00 A.M. start saw a wind line move into the bay which hit the start line just as the horn blew. The breeze continued the entire race, freshening as the day progressed.
        The Lancer 28, Sempre Libera from New Mexico was back this year sailed by a crew of four from the Rio Grande Yacht Club. These guys were a fun group, complete with Turkey Hats and a huge desire to win the race.
        Long time TSC sailor Dick Sebastian was back and at the helm of the Venture 21 Wetfete. Dick sailing with Doug Noble and Ralph Siedel placed third overall in the PHRF High Fleet. Conversation at the awards dinner was about a potato cannon Dick has built using PVC pipe with hair spray for propellant. More about this contraption at a later date.
        Fish were back in the bay. Saturday and Sunday both saw large schools of fish churning the water into white foam. On Honeymoon Island there were a couple of hundred pelicans. More than I have seen in recent memory.
        John Lubliner was there with his flush deck Montgomery, Coyote, looking very nice with what appeared to be a new, very high Tec (spelled expensive) main sail. Loretta was crew. This boat, sailed expertly took second place overall in the PHRF High Fleet. John had Loretta wear a crew shirt with an 800-telephone number on the back with big letters, how am I sailing. This may be something new in crew motivation.
         From Vancouver, Canada came Keith Sangster & crew aboard Poco Loco, a Martin 242, (spelled very fast). They had a great first day but fell into a dead air patch the second day costing them a first place finish. Poco Loco placed second overall in the PHRF Low Fleet. First in the PHRF Low Fleet was Alberto Vargas and his crew sailing the Newport 28, Tucurucu.
        I sailed aboard Shellback, Rex Weedon's Venture 24. Rex was good company and it was fun spending two days sailing aboard his Venture. The Venture has a weighted swing keel. The cable, which raises and lowers the keel, is wire. Beginning at 21/2 knots boat speed this cable begins to vibrate, changing pitch the faster the boat goes. Headsail adjustments can be evaluated by the cable changing tune. Loosing the vibration means something is definitely wrong. Be forewarned, crewing with Rex is not a dinner cruise by any means. Refreshments on the three hour race consisted of a few carrot sticks during the race and a warm Miller at the end of the race.
        It was fun to see Graham Rundle and his crew sailing the very pretty and fast Capri 26, Jubalee. In my opinion this has to be one of the best boats for the Sea of Cortez. Small enough to be fun to sail and manageable and large enough to be comfortable and fast. They certainly looked good sailing the bay.
        Rip Rundle and Jean Gwen were there with their Menger catboat, Viking . Jean worked the Committee Boat with Jerry Helm aboard Jerry's Catalina 25. Jean did jump ship to spend time with Ned Pos aboard the chase boat. She had a great time and was a big help to the Race Committee.
        Ethan Beneze skippered the Hunter 30, ARRAKIS with crew Steve and Donna. Steve Ethan and Frank Brooks own the Hunter. Frank was not onboard as he was attending the christening of a granddaughter. Ethan and crew did a good job getting this boat moving. It was heavily loaded with cruising gear. We followed them around the racecourse for two days in the Venture until Ethan chose to go outside the island along with Garry Morris aboard Balbalasang and Locura a San-Juan 23 sailed by Jeff McGaughey. Rex made a command decision, "if we follow them we loose". "If we go inside we have a chance". My comment to Rex was, "if all works well we will pop out at the top of the island 100 yards closer to the mark than these three outsiders". This is what happened and I imagine was an expletive or two from the competition when the old Venture with the fractional rig and small head sail appeared from behind the island well in its way to the finish line.
        A word about Garry Morris, for all the grief we give him about problems encountered and situations ending in near disaster he does know how to sail. We enjoyed watching Balbalasang, a very pretty boat with its bright red headsail & red water line.
        Dick Dagett's 2~foot S2, Aim To Please II, was there sailed by new owner Kevin Walker. Kevin is the Commodore of the local Hobie Fleet. His crew were Hobie sailors from Mexico and Arizona.
        The Race Committee. What can you say other than they were superb. The two parties, a cocktail party at the Manna and the awards dinner at the Fiesta were excellent. Anne Lubliner and Deana Pos did a fine job with the raffle. Our table got a Tecate beer cooler, two tee shirts, a stuffed doll,(Ethan won the doll), a glass jar filled with milk chocolate bars and a discount coupon to an auto repair service.
        As always Ned was great as the chase boat skipper. We appreciate his continuing Support of the Mexico regattas in furnishing the chase boat, setting the marks and generally keeping an eye on the race course.
        Finally, a word or two about Bandito. I was relieved of my command and boat by Alan, Steve and Judy. They sailed Bandito and did well. Alan and Steve would like to do a cruise this May/June with the club. Their big event for the race was a second day tacking duel with Coyote, the Montgomery 17. Again thank you to the TSC members who work hard to make this regatta a success. It was fun and all who spent the weekend racing in the bay at San Carlos appreciate your efforts.