J/125 & J/120 Silver @ Rough Doublehanded Farallones Race

(San Francisco, CA)- This year’s legendary San Francisco BAMA Doublehanded Farallones Race was not for the faint of heart. There was heavy rain and strong gusts well into the mid-20 kts, crossing the course from the south. The doublehanded racers knew they would face one of those epic and extremely dangerous roundings of the infamous Farallones Islands. These lie about 26 nm west of the majestic Golden Gate Bridge.

This year, the race began in the shadow of the Bridge and sent the competitors over the San Francisco Bar to Southeast Farallones Island and back.

Southeast Farallones Island and its mates are a line of granite rocks carved away from the California coast by the infamous San Andreas fault. On a clear day, the islands look very close. The Islands are a National Marine Sanctuary with plenty of seals and birdlife. There are also plenty of great white sharks to feed on those tasty furry little morsels!

With strong southerly winds, this year’s rounding of the islands was rough and intimidating. The shoal areas around the islands kicked up huge swells running from the south and produced large breakers. As a result, this year’s DHF was more than just a test of speed. It was a test of seamanship, decision-making, and courage. J/Boats teams fared well in the demanding conditions.

PHRF ULDB 1 Division
Taking the silver medal was the Rufus Sjoberg & Ryan Lynch duo on the J/125 RUFLESS. The speedy little J/90 ORCA, sailed by Ian Rogers & Andrew McCormick, ended up in fourth place. ORCA was awarded the Pineapple Sails Yacht Club Trophy!

PHRF 3 Division
The two J/Team entries matched their division placements to the ULDBs. Sean & Jeff Mulvhill’s J/120 JAMANI took silver. Falk Meissner & Andrew Goodwin’s J/99 SHARK ON BLUEGRASS placed fourth. JAMANI was also awarded the Pineapple Sails Yacht Club Trophy!

PHRF Overall
With thirty-seven teams participating, the leading J/crew was Rufus Sjoberg & Ryan Lynch’s J/125 RUFLESS. They took 5th overall. Ian Rogers & Andrew McCormick’s J/90 ORCA followed in 7th. Sean & Jeff Mulvhill’s J/120 JAMANI was 8th. Falk Meissner & Andrew Goodwin’s J/99 SHARK ON BLUEGRASS finished in 11th.

For more SF BAMA Doublehanded Farallones Race sailing information
https://sfbama.org/double-handed-farallones/