I got a chance to race on a F27 trimaran in a Friday night race today. The race started at the Ballena Bay Yacht Club in Alameda and ran up towards the Bay Bridge. We got off the line first and stayed there the whole race, finishing literally a mile ahead of the next finisher.

After a stop at the Artemis team base this morning to confirm that they were rigging up their boat, we prepped to head out on the water for some spectating. It took them a couple hours to get all rigged and ready to go giving us plenty of time. We cruised over to their base and at sandwiches while they finished prepping.

We weren’t the only ones on the water watching their training. Oracle Team USA and Emirates Team New Zealand had their RIBs out following Artemis.

They didn’t get the boat up on foils during the session, but they were flying a hull.

This weekend, St. Francis Yacht Club is hosting its annual Spring Dinghy Regatta.  A number of fleets are participating including 505s, F-18 catamarans, Weka trimarans, Lasers, formula windsurfers, and kiteboards. The weather was beautiful with temperatures in the mid 60s with winds of 10-15 mph. The current was a strong ebb through most of the afternoon.

Click on any of the photos below to go to a gallery with more images.

Steve Bodner and Mike Percey sail upwind to tune up before the start of their race

The 505 fleet sails downwind under spinnaker after rounding the windward mark.

The Laser fleet sails downwind toward San Francisco.

A Weka trimaran approaches the windward mark.

Here’s Steve Bodner getting some early season training in on his formula gear.

A view from underneath the Oakland Bay Bridge

World Series game viewed from McCovey Cove

Tonight we hopped on the boat and headed over to McCovey Cove to cheer for the Giants in the World Series.

America’s Cup AC45 class catamaran Luna Rosa Swordfish rounds the windward gate.

the fleet of AC45 catamarans starts off toward the turning mark