Baja Winds Creates Havoc in Yacht Race
Strong winds along the Baja California coast Monday resulted in damage to several of the yachts in the Long Beach to Cabo San Lucas race.
Scott Atwood, skipper of the PHRF yacht Hetaira, reported he had hit something in the water Sunday night, causing damage to the mast, but was continuing in the race under reduced sail.
Fred Preiss, skipper of the 84-foot sloop Christine, reported a broken rudder, but said the crew was making jury repairs and the yacht would continue.
The yacht Brisa lost her primary steering but was continuing to Cabo San Lucas, and skipper Leonard Nadler, skipper of the yacht Salsa, reported he was retiring at Turtle Bay with a leak around the keel. Even one of the escort boats reported trouble. The motor sailer Freya lost her engine and was returning to Long Beach under sail.
Because of the brisk winds, 15-25 knots from the northwest, the race was turning into a record breaker for the majority of the fleet.
In the PHRF division Re-Quest reported a position 262 miles from the finish, and Grand Cru was only two miles astern.
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