PHRF Yachts Have Edge in Race to Cabo

Performance Handicap Racing Fleet yachts were outsailing the International Offshore Rule division Wednesday as the combined fleet leaders moved within 200 miles of the finish in Los Angeles Yacht Club’s Cabo San Lucas via Guadalupe Island race.

As winds increased slightly, Dick Pennington’s Peterson-66 sloop Cheetah, Long Beach Yacht Club, was reporting a position that placed her 175 miles from Cabo, with Fred Preiss’ 84-foot sloop Christine, Pacific Mariners Yacht Club, only three miles astern.

The Santa Cruz-70 Blondie, skippered by Pat Farrah, LBYC, was 184 miles out, and Dick Daniels’ MacGregor-65 Joss, LBYC, had 189 miles to go.

In the IOR division, the elapsed time leader was John Landon’s Santa Cruz-70 Kathmandu, San Diego Yacht Club, which had moved into the lead with 181 miles to go. She made a wide end sweep from far out to sea to post a 227-mile day’s run.

Six miles behind Kathmandu was the 68-foot Prima, Roy Disney, LAYC.