SAILING : Race Week Off to Windy Start

Strong winds and aggressive sailing took their toll as three days of competition began in the 12th annual Long Beach Race Week Friday.

Patriot, a J/N 40 owned by Jerry Montgomery of Alamitos Bay Yacht Club, lost the upper part of its mast in a collision with Gator as it sailed out the Queen’s Gate entrance on a starboard tack, with the apparent right of way. Gator was on a port tack.

Gator, a Frers 38 owned by Thomas Wheatley of the host Long Beach YC, also incurred extensive damage. Both boats were competing in the IOR-B class. Neither was expected to continue in the series.

Seventy-one boats in seven classes thrashed their way around a 17-mile course in winds of 22 to 25 knots, with stronger gusts.

In IOR-A, the fastest class, defending champion Quintessence, a Reichel/Pugh 42 from Santa Barbara YC sailed by Don Hughes and Dave Ullman, won the first of five races.