It’s Not Smooth Sailing in Race Week Opener

A total of 51 International Offshore Rule yachts swapped tacks and jibes over the ocean between Long Beach and Los Angeles Harbor Thursday in the first race of Long Beach Yacht Club’s Race Week.

But it all may go for naught. Because of confusion over the location of a mark due to a shortening of the course, several protests were lodged against the race committee, which worked late into the night trying to decide whether to throw out the race or to settle on a fair distance of the course. If the race is thrown out, it will be re-sailed Saturday.

The fleet is divided into six classes for yachts ranging from 34 to 55 feet. Smallest boat is Jay Steinbeck’s Davidson-34 Pendragon, and the largest is Monte Livingston’s Peterson-55 Checkmate.

Racing is on a handicap basis, with Checkmate being the scratch boat. Racing continues today and winds up Sunday.