Orange Coast’s Yacht Gets Back in the Race

Alaska Eagle, Orange Coast College’s training yacht, hasn’t always been a cruiser.

The 65-foot boat--then named Flyer--won the 1977-78 Whitbred Round the World Race. It was donated to the college in 1982 after its second Whitbred race and since then has been used to teach sailing students the intricacies of offshore adventure sailing.

In December, Alaska Eagle returned to its racing roots and performed admirably in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, finishing in just over three days, 24th overall--and fifth in its handicapped division--among the 80 boats that started the grueling 630-nautical-mile race.

Six of 13 crew members live in Newport Beach--co-skippers Brad Avery and Richard Crowe, Sheri Crowe, Bruce Tice, Dave Grant and Ian Fettes--and Johnathan Wolf-Willis is from Huntington Beach.

Race organizers stiffened the rules after a brutal storm hitthe 1998 race and six people were killed. Conditions were rough again this year, and only 50 boats finished. But there were no serious injuries.

NOTEWORTHY

The Sierra Club’s Wilderness Travel Course is presenting a free slide show at 7 tonight at Sports Chalet in Huntington Beach. Information will be available about the 10-week backpacking course that starts this month. Details: (949) 496-6530.