NBHoagSt
A foursome of Santa Cruz 70s claimed the top spots overall at the First Team Real Estate Invitational Regatta (Hoag Cup), a handicap, buoy-racing event held in Long Beach, Calif., over the weekend. Patrick O’Brien steered Grand Illusion to first place overall, beating out fellow SC 70s Westerly, Skylark, and Holua. “We’re happy with the 70s,” said O’Brien, who subbed in at the helm for owner Ed McDowell. “We’re trying to get this class going again. Ed is not going to get a new boat.” McDowell has been leading the West Coast resurgence of Santa Cruz 70s, the Bill Lee-designed sleds that revolutionized downwind sailing in decades past. After taking fifth place in its fleet racing debut, the Morning Light crew is beginning to coalesce as a genuine racing team, much to the delight of Roy Disney, who is filming the process for a feature film. “They’re doing a terrific job,” Disney said, noting how impressed he was with the team’s boathandling. “A quiet boat is a fast boat.” Sailing in it’s maiden regatta, Roger Sturgeon’s new STP 65 Rosebud won Class A; Grand Illusion also topped Class B; Oscar Krinsky’s 1D48 Chayah took Class C.Balboa and Newport Harbor Yacht Clubs hosted the event, which raised $400,000 for the Hoag Hospital Heart and Vascular Institute. For more about the event, click here.
