SPEED >> ON THE WATER <<

Windspeed records were officially recorded for the first time on the Bay

Photo by Jan Pehrson

Windspeed records were officially recorded for the first time on the Bay, when competitors negotiated challenging conditions – very shifty light winds brought on by the unusually blazing-hot weather – in the inaugural San Francisco Speed Sailing Event, held June 15-18.

Registration entries came in all sizes and shapes, and while the fleet was small, it was fabulously diverse, which for a first-time event is key to figuring out what works for the next go around.

Speed race entrants included the Pegasus Racing Team on an Aussie-18 skippered by Shark Kahn; local kitesurfers and two youngsters from Hawaii, a strong windsurfing fleet, the Pro 40 catamaran Tuki, a Hoot, and trifoilers skippered by famed brothers Greg and Dan Ketterman.

One enthusiast showed up to register a sail powered canoe, but the vessel never materialized during the event… next year perhaps.

For a complete listing of the winners and official results for the race, see the Web site: www.sanfranciscospeed.com.