Samba Pa Ti First-Day Leader In Farr 40 North Americans

The Los Angeles Yacht Club's annual Watts Trophy, this year serving as the Farr 40 class's North American championship, got under way outside of L.A. Harbor at San Pedro, Calif., with 12 boats Thursday. John Kilroy's Samba Pa Ti, with Paul Cayard calling tactics, scored finishes of first, third and second and was the early leader after the first of four days of competition. Winds were late arriving but built to 14 knots by day's end.

Steve Phillips drove Le Renard to wins in the last two races Thursday, fighting back from a 10th place in the first race. Photo © Rich Roberts	Russell Coutts, aboard Crocodile Rock, was one of several celebrity tacticians in the 12-boat fleet. Skipper Scott Harris drove to finishes of second, fifth and fourth. Photo © Rich Roberts
John MacLaurin's Pendragon has a wild takedown in close company with Barking Mad (left) and Slingshot. Photo © Rich Roberts	While waiting for wind to start racing, Groovederci's crew interacted with the local wildlife. Skippers Deneen Demourkas is at left. Photo © Rich Roberts
Colorful spinnakers all in a row, from left, Samba Pa Ti, Pegasus, Crocodile Rock and Groovederci.   Photo © Rich Roberts
	Tactician Rod Davis whispers world-class wisdom to skipper Deneen Demourkas on Groovederci, which had a 5-7-3 day among the contenders. Photo © Rich Roberts