Taxi Dancer Faces Protest in Cabo Sail

Warm sunshine turned to rain Friday as the last boats crossed the finish line in the Long Beach-to-Cabo San Lucas race, and a protest threatened Taxi Dancer’s runner-up position in the top IOR-A class for big ultralights.

Cheetah’s sweep remained secure. The Peterson 66, sailed by Dick Pennington and Phil Murray of the Long Beach Yacht Club, took the longest route by going far offshore to find better wind the first day. But the strategy paid off. She was first to finish overall and topped the IOR-A and PHRF-A handicap classes--all by half-day margins.

Mitchell Rouse’s Taxi Dancer, also of Long Beach Yacht Club, was next fastest, but the R/P 68 collided with Peter Tong’s Swan 57, Lady Godiva, while trying to avoid a premature start last Saturday.

Tong, who appeared to have the right of way as the leeward boat, indicated when he finished the race that he still intended to protest. Loss of the protest would cost Taxi Dancer a two-hour penalty and drop her to 11th place.

Bruce Anderson’s Chicken Lips, from Shoreline Yacht Club, withdrew in dying wind Friday, leaving 30 finishers among the 32 starters.