Press Release March 13th 2012 - “An amazing sight!” Those were the words that both spectators and a thousand racing sailors were saying as organizers of the 2012 Border Run started over 200 boats all at the same time in one single start off the Balboa pier at 11:30 am Saturday morning March 10th.
“We went to great lengths to create five lines in one, for three courses, almost one mile long, to make for a safe, efficient and exciting starting line for our Border Run racers” said John Marshall, Commodore of SSYC, the organizing authority for the event.
“SSYC did an incredible job in starting the huge fleet in a way that has not been done before on the West Coast. It was spectacular to watch two hundred boats hit the line all at the same time.” said Bob Long, co-founder of the event.
“The start had my heart pounding as we found our spot on the line” said Randy Reynolds sailing his 33 foot catamaran CAT ATTACK II. “What a thrill to be sailing with 200 boats at one time and knowing how you stack up to your competition without a rolling start. The crew was smiling from ear to ear and the adrenalin was pumping as we watched all the boats sail off the line. It really was an amazing sight.”
After the exciting start, the wind challenged sailors as the south wind stayed on the bow making the race an upwind battle for all three courses until the wind died to a whisper once the sun went down. On the Short and Long Course to San Diego only half the fleet finished with the other half enjoying the full moon and flat seas as they motored to the party at Silver Gate Yacht Club, this years venue for the San Diego trophy party.
John MacLaurin’s 70 foot Pendragon VI was the fastest on the Long Course finishing after 10pm on Saturday with Phillip Infelise’s Mile High Club finishing just after 3am Sunday morning on the Short Course. On the 14-mile Sprint Course, hosted by DPYC, the fastest elapsed time boat was Greg Ketterman in a Hobie Adventure trimaran.
The Big Winners for 2012 are:
Long Course - Newport to Coronado del Norte to San Diego
ORR Overall John MacLaurin Pendragon 6 16:31:39
WC 70 ORR Andy Rasdal Valkyrie 17:06:02
WC 70 PHRF Andy Rasdal Valkrie 16:32:43
PHRF Overall John MacLaurin Pendragon 6 15:12:33
J120 Class Mike Hatch J Almighty 20:37:42
Farr 40 Class Gordon Leon Foil 21:55:57
Best Elapsed Time John MacLaurin Pendragon 6 11:29:36
Short Course - Newport to San Diego
PHRF Overall Phillip Infelise Mile High Klub 14:01:00
XS Multihull Terry Wepsic Razzle Dazzle 20:53:40
XS Monohull Michael ReYe Cocktail 19:38:19
CRUZ Class Chad Downey Elixir 17:09:45
Best Elapsed James Wert Twister 14:22:28
Cal 40 Class Jerry Finnegan Celebrity 20:59:42
Sprint Course - Newport to Dana Point
Best Elapsed Greg Ketterman Gamma 3:18:52
For Full Results, photos and videos of the 2012 Border Run go to www.TheBorderRun.org
Overview of The Border Run International Sailing Event
With 223 boats entered in this years 2012 Border Run, it seems the Southern California yachting scene may have a new favorite sailing event. The Border Run, that begins in Newport and heads to Dana Point (the Sprint course), or to San Diego (the Short course) or San Diego via the Coronado del Norte Island (the 90 mile Long Course), has provided So Cal sailors with a viable race that satisfies appetites for long-distance racing.
The annual race is in its fourth year and has grown to over 200 boats since it’s inception in 2009. What started as a response to one of the founders being excluded from the Newport to Ensenada has become an event whose tag line is “where everyone’s invited”.
“It’s funny how things work out,” said co-founder Randy Reynolds. “It gave us the opportunity to put together an event with new elements and components we thought the racing community would want. We’re delighted with the progress of the event and in the end have a good relationship with the Newport to Ensenada organization.”
Reynolds believes one of the key reasons why the event has become so popular in such a relatively short time is the fluidity in which they approach each year’s contest. While some yacht races are steeped in rigid traditions and formulas, the Border Run continues to experiment with ideas that they believe respond to the changing nature of the sport itself.
This year they employed a single start concept. Most races begin a rolling class-by-class start, but in an effort to make this particular start more fun and exciting, organizers had the entire fleet begin at the same time.
“We’re looking to find ways that make the event special,” said co-founder Bob Long. “We’ve offered multiple course options, a European style start, a special course to challenge dinghy sailors and we’re always looking for unique elements for the parties.”
Reynolds and Long are also visibly proud when they speak of the charity aspect of the event. Last year the Border Run raised money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society and this year competitors raised over $19,000 for both LLS and local charity City2 Sea that provides free education in the ocean sciences and an introduction to sailing to at-risk children.
“I have to say, being a part of something that not only allows for a great time for those involved, but also raises awareness and money for these charities is really a great feeling,” Long said.
The 2012 Border Run is sponsored by Ullman Sails and outfitted by Pirates Lair. The Border Run team, consists of XS Racing of Huntington Beach, South Shore Yacht Club of Newport Beach (the Organizing Authority) and Dana Point Yacht Club of Dana Point. For more information go to www.theborderrun.org or call 800-366-8584. For first hand video of the racing check out over 40 videos of the start and live racing currently still going on at:
