St. Francis YC Leads U.S. Yacht Challenge After Opening Races

St. Francis of San Francisco led the U.S. Yacht Club Challenge after placing first and third among 12 clubs in the first two of five races at Newport Beach Thursday.

All are sailing Schock 35s in the third biennial event.

West Coast clubs held the first three positions, with Balboa second and California third, but Long Beach, San Diego and host Newport Harbor were at the bottom of the fleet due to a protest and fouls.

The first race was postponed two hours because of light wind, and there was one general recall before it finally got under way in 7 knots. Then Jim Buckingham nosed the Newport Harbor boat across the line before the gun and wound up last.

California, skippered by Bill Peterson, won the second race, but this was protested by St. Francis skipper Bill George.

Two races are scheduled today.