 North
Sails Race WeekOfficial Press Release |
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NORTH SAILS RACE WEEK Long Beach, Calif., June 22-24 Presented by Golison & Golison and Premiere Racing June 22, 2001 SUNSHINE BRINGS SEA BREEZE TO CHASE JUNE GLOOM AWAY LONG BEACH, Calif. - June Gloom is gone and the sea breeze is in for the 17th North Sails Race Week, according to the forecast for the first weekend of summer in Southern California. Aside from some patchy early morning clouds, the notorious marine layer that usually blankets the area in June has given way to sunshine that warms the land and draws a southwesterly breeze over the waters off Long Beach. National Weather service forecasts have played the same happy tune the last few days: "Light and variable winds, becoming SW to W 10 knots with wind waves 1 foot in the afternoon. Swell mixed S and W 3 feet." The forecast for the region often underestimates the wind strength at Long Beach, which is at the end of a funnel between Santa Catalina Island and the mainland. It often blows 12 to 15 knots on a summer afternoon, and breezes reached 24 knots last Sunday. With high pressure lying over the region, the skies should remain clear with temperatures in the 70s. All of that is good news for the 156 entries posted by Thursday. Five handicap classes featuring boats to 53 feet will complement nine one-design classes ranging from Farr 40s to Santana 20s. They will be competing on three courses -- one inside and two outside the breakwater of Long Beach's outer harbor. Shore activities are at the Seaport Marina Hotel at Pacific Coast Highway and Second St. in east Long Beach. The first race is scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday, followed by two races each Saturday and Sunday starting at noon. Competitors looking for a more detailed weather forecast may purchase information by logging on to http://na.northsails.com/ew/ew_main.taf for $20 a day. North Sails has partnered with Sailing Weather Services and meteorologist Chris Bedford to provide daily information online. Nautica Watches has joined North Sails and Team McLube on the Race Week sponsor team. Nautica features quality timepieces for on-water and onshore use. J/Boats, the Seaport Marina Hotel and Albertsons are among the Supporting Organizations. Sam Adams is the official beer. Saturday will be a special day. The SVIC Day of Racing and Post Race Party is presented by Silicon Valley Investment Capital, a member of the new Race Week Donor Program. Results and photos will be posted nightly at www.YachtRacing.com. CONTACTS Premiere Racing: (781) 639-9545 PUBLICITY |