3 Open 5.70s and 1 Open 6.50 raced the Frank Guernsey Single-Handed Challenge out of Redondo Beach Yacht Club (results). It was light breeze but good conditions. Close racing in the Open 5.70 fleet although by the end of the 9 mile race there was quite a spread. Jerome was first boat across the line on “Chupacabra” an all carbon Open 6.50 and none of the other boats in the race managed to correct. Nik Vale was the first Open 5.70 to cross the line and finished 2nd overall (Kattack Replay)

Open Sailing ran one of it’s first Open 5.70 racing clinics followed by an Open 5.70 exclusive regatta this weekend.

The clinic on Saturday was taught by Jerome Sammarcelli (North American Champion, 2011) and Nik Vale (Pacific Coast Champion, 2011). The clinic was an “open” forum that allowed the owners to discuss the techniques they use to get to the front of the fleet. (more…)

USA 822 came out of our shipyard on February the 8th and was launched on the 9th out of Marina Del Rey.

This Pogo 2, race number USA 822 was named by the new owner MINI BAR! The name just set the tone!!

The new owner, Yves, just can’t wait to go out and experienced the thrilled of sailing and racing his boat. (more…)

While the 2011 Mini Transat is going full speed (racers are currently in the middle of the Atlantic with a little more than 1,000nm to go), Open Sailing decided to take a little break from the shore as well. Of course, we can’t leave as long…but sailing to Catalina from Marina Del Rey is always a great experience.

The goal was to race with other singlehanded and double handed racers from PSSA (Pacific Singlehanded Sailing Association). The race was starting from Palos Verdes, about 12nm south from Marina Del Rey to Catalina. With a start at noon, racers from MDR had to motor early in the morning (no later than 9am) to make the start. With a crying and sick 15 months old baby at home and some work to do at Open Sailing in the morning, I didn’t make the start but decided to join my PSSA friends anyway later in the day. (more…)

Cal Race Week is Marina del Reys largest most prestigious regatta. This year the event attracted more than 90 boats racing in 13 classes, 10 of which were one-design classes. The Open 5.70 fleet had 12 boats on the line making it the second largest class at the event (see more photos).

The weather this year was fairly typical for Marina del Rey – 6 to 10 knots. Even though this is not the ideal condition for the Open 5.70 it still made for some very technical and close racing. There were plenty of photo finishes between large groups of boats which left sailors scratching their heads as to what place they had finished in (check out the Kattack Replays). After completing 3 races on Saturday local Marina del Rey sailor David Brown, racing on Koa, had asserted himself as leader of the pack with 3 bullets. The point spread was still pretty tight and there was everything to play for – in such a large fleet one bad race can earn you 12 points which could really mix up the overall standings. On Sunday Koa continued to sail well resulting in a lot of jostling for the remaining 2nd, 3rd & 4th place trophies. The final standings came down to the last race which was a short upwind downwind course. Both Far Niente and Havic ended up over early and had to claw their way back up the fleet in order to keep their 2nd and 3rd places respectively.

Once again the Open 5.70s were sailed by a very diverse group of sailors – including fathers racing with sons, women at the helm, and all junior teams. It was the young sailors that dominated the podium this year with the average age of all the sailors in the top three boats being an impressive 23 (see trophy presentation photos).

Overall Results

1st USA 274 KOA
skippered by David Brown with Jeremy Colantonio (average age 31)

2nd USA 279 Far Niente
skippered by Nicholas de Roulhac with Reed Manes (average age 22)

3rd USA 286 II Havic
skippered by Tony Festa with Greg Dair and Frankie Dair (average age 16)

Picture of the Pogo 2 racing in the Berger Series Pt Dume race. The 34 mile race saw mostly light conditions with more breeze up the coast at the Pt Dume. The Pogo 2 finished just before sunset. Full Results.

“Slapshot”, the LA Kings branded Open 6.50, was recently featured in a silent auction held by the Kings Care Foundation to raise money for the Children’s Cancer Research Fund (CCRF). On auction was a poster of the racing sailboat that had been autographed by the team as well as the chance to actually go out for a sail on “Slapshot” with Team Open Sailing.

The winners of the auction, Fred and Mary, recently visited Open Sailing to go for a sail. It was a perfect Southern California day – sunny, good visibility, and good breeze. Click through for more pictures.

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10 Open 5.70s competed in this years SCYA Midwinters making it the largest one design class sailing on Santa Monica Bay. Check out two great race reports from Jerome Sammarcelli on USA 275 who won the regatta, and Team Farnienteon USA 279 who is one of the newest members of the Southern California fleet.

Today Frank came to Marina del Rey to sail on his brand new Open 5.70, USA 305 called “Destiny”. Despite the windy forecast and the gale warning flags flying from the coast guard station we ventured out to see what was up… (more…)

This week the second US built Pogo 2, USA 806, was launched in Marina del Rey, CA (see gallery of photos & teaser video). This boat will belong to Team Open Sailing. It will be campaigned on West Coast in the Berger Series, Whitney/Times/Bogart Series, PSSA Singlehanded Dan Byrne Series and more (see all Pogo 2 events). It will also be available for demo sails – if you are interested in the boat don’t hesitate to contact us and schedule your sail today!