The anxiety shared by Formula boardsailors rigging for the distance race Saturday was palpable before our 2:00pm start. That's because conditions can vary widely on a windward leeward course that starts upwind to a mark at the Presidio Shoals, then it's up to each skipper to figure out how to make it to the Berkely Pier, then back to the clubhouse on 9 meter sails with meter wide boards. Arriving to compete, Chris Radkowski's question was a fine predictor for the day -- "Is it going to hoot?" 21 starters were all clear to find out, and they did, struggling with big ebb chop.

Race Director John Craig saw 30 knots on the WL Stewart. Heavy weather didn't stop the very technical sailors from the East Bay. Former Bay Challenge champ and world class board designer Mike Zajicek (1st - 00:57:56) held off Steve Sylvester by a mere 8 seconds, and last years winner Mike Percey was just another 19 seconds behind. Fourth went to Bill Weir, who prevailed over Friday Night Series arch rival Rob Hartman. Sylvester and Weir stayed on port tack upwind, laid the line back to A buoy to finish.Other notables include IMCO winner Fun Yang, calling on sponsor Alan Prussia's skills to mend a sail.

No rest for the wicked on Sunday for Course Racing under overcast skies. Fortunately, race committee veterans Lynn Olinger and Gary Sadamori were along again to set a perfect course on the City Front. We cranked off four two lap races with competitive starts and high speed sailing, with racers jibing at the Grill Room toward the leeward mark. It was Hartman, Weir, Sylvester showing their decades of experience, 1,2,3.

This weekend was the warm up event for the major distance race of the year, the SF Bay Classic 16-18 August. Barry Spanier, sail designer for the Gasstra team, caught up with me before the race recovering from a whilrwind production trip to China. We're hoping to see pros like three time classic winner Phil McGain and top seed Kevin Pritchard tune up here in August before the Worlds.

Jim Kiriakis