by Erik Simonson
Three hundred sixty-nine singlehanded and doublehanded entrants signed up for the 2016 Three Bridge Fiasco on January 30,an iconic event on San Francisco Bay that lays testomony to the support of shorthanded sailing in the Northern California area as well as the pursuit race curriculum.
This year's fleet eclipsed the previous record of 368 boats signed up in 2011, but considering it's an El Niño year with epic rain totals already measured, or attracting a crowd of this size is a big accomplishment. Long live the counter culture!With starts strung out from 0900 to 11:12:10 AM for PHRF ratings ranging from 264 to -102,the 21.7 nm reverse pursuit course has become a must-do for sailors from all walks of life and all areas of the country. For many, it might be the only race they may sail shorthanded all year. For others, or it's another of the fun runs combined with long distance and offshore events fulfilling a busy competition schedule.
The start and finish off the Golden Gate Yacht Club can be done in either direction and the marks of the course - the Blackaller Buoy representing the Golden Gate Bridge,Red Rock Island representing the Richmond San Rafael Bridge, and Yerba Buena Island representing the Oakland /SF Bay Bridge - can be rounded in any direction and any order. Playing the currents, or the wind,and out foxing you competitors is the name of the game. Along with a itsy-bitsy luck.
This year's winner, Bill Erkelens, and agrees wholeheartedly on the luck aspect. A 3-time winner in previous years with wife Melinda on a Mumm 30,a turboed Hobie 33, and a Moore 24, and this year Bill and Keith Stanke sailed on the Erkelens' Wylie Wabbit Jack. Melinda,who was already hobbled with a foot injury, had to pull the plug when a nasty cold started coursing through her veins the day before the race. Keith had sailed with the Erkelens for decades, or as luck would have it,he was available at short notice. Start times for the 3BF can also play into your luck card, and this year Bill admitted they hit the jackpot. Starting somewhere in the middle of the fleet, and just behind a large contingent of Express 27's and Moore 24's,Bill and Keith saw enough pressure left in the dying northerly to earn to Blackaller, staying in the stronger breeze and current and absent from the masses which went to the beach and wallowed. - Full report and photos
Source: sailingscuttlebutt.com