Bridge to Bridge Race in San Francisco
by Micah Buzianis (www.buzianis.com)

I just arrived back in Maui after a quick trip over to San Fran for the Ronstan Bridge to Bridge race put on by Alan Prussia and the St. Francis Yacht Club. I went to this race last year and had so much fun, and got beat by a kite that I had to go back this year and man was it worth it!

For those that do not know this race is run from just outside the Golden Gate Bridge where the start line is between a red buoy and a motoring boat, down to the Bay Bridge where the finish line is between the last tower just before the bridge goes into Yerba Buena from the city and a boat. It is open to just about anything wind powered but it was mainly started as a race between Windsurfers and 18foot Skiffs. Last year there were a couple of kites that entered and Chip Wasson took the gold.

This year there were a couple more skiffs that entered and a few more kites as well as windsurfer so it seems to be gaining in popularity. The wind was a bit lighter this year just before the start but then picked up to about the same as last year.

There was a pretty strong flood running so the water was very smooth for most of the course. Last year I choose to go on my 10.9 and was a little underpowered for most of the race so I decided to go with my 11.7 this year, especially since Kevin showed up this year and was going out on his 12 I could not be out done. This was good for most of the race but once i got below the St. Francis it was to big.

The start was delayed for about 20 minutes due to shippng traffic but this seemed to be good as the wind just kept building. With such a strong flood some of the kites were unable to make the start which was probably good as the start was much closer this year than last. Either the skiff level was higher this year or they all learned from last year because they were all right on the start line as the gun went with chutes up and full speed. This made for a very exciting/hair raising start! It was impossible for me on a windsurfer to go below a skiff as they were going deeper and had so much sail area that they would just take my wind. I did try it a couple of times though and got rounded up so hard that I almost slammed into the side of a couple skiffs, one of them had some line trailing in the water that I almost got caught up on. While all of this was going on, which felt like complete chaos, there was a serious amount of current coming off the south tower which caused a lot of chop during the whole start and it was not until we were passed the Golden Gate by a ways until the water completely smoothed out. This was a relief to get into the smooth water and get clean air away from the skiffs.

By the time we had reached the St. Francis and the Startline/Gate that we had to go through downwind the skiff RMW Marine was in the lead followed by local windsurfer Mike Zajicek who I crossed just behind after my gibe out. I went out towards the middle of the bay about half way across Alcatraz and gibed on what I hoped was the lay line to the finish. The water was still very smooth at this point so I was really able to kick it into gear and try to make up some ground. I had a great battle with RMW Marine while they were going deeper than me I was able to go a bit faster and I managed to go just under their bow to pass them and take the lead. It was a pretty hairy pass as the bow sprits on these boats are quite long and I do not think either of us were in much control. When I was down just off Alcatraz the wind picked up and the water got a lot rougher, from this point to the finish I was in and out of the harness and both back footstraps trying to keep everything together and go as fast as possible. In this chop I managed to put a bit more distance between me and the skiff, it seemed we had a bit of an advantage in the chop but RMW had a lot of speed in the smoother stuff!

I was very glad to cross the finish line as it was all I could do to stay on top of my gear with this much power and the confused chop. Right behind me was RMW Marine followed by Anthony Chavez on a kite. It did not feel likeit was a very fast time to me as I was fighting the amount of power I had most of the way but I set the new record. I would say this is partly in thanks to RMW Marine as they were pushing me very hard the whole way down wind and did not give me a chance to let up at all. Even though this race only lasted just over sixteen minutes I was quite tired after I had to sail back to the St. Francis way overpowered!

Just like last year I had a killer time at this race and am planning to go again next year! SF is a great place to sail and there is so much to do there that I love going there. I am sorry that I missed a CalCup on Saturday but after the race and a late night I was to worn out. I have to thank Alan Prussia for getting me to come over and putting on this great event! I also have to take my hat off to the skiffs they were a lot more competitive this year and pushed us all hard from the start to the finish, those guys are a hardcore group to sail those boats in that much chop! Anyone wishing to come next year check out the St. Francis Yacht Club website for the details.

FINAL RESULTS Micah breaks 2002 record by 1:35 secs! & Beats Kites & Skiffs to win the 2003 Ronstan Bridge to Bridge with a time of 16 mins 29 secs!