Elise is scheduled to be there.

-Nathan

:: Where are all my fellow e27 racers???? You can't miss
:: this great event.
::
:: The following is a great article that I hope will
:: inspire more boats to come enjoy this great race......
::
:: Digging the Ditch
::
:: Copywrite 2006 erik s simonson
::
:: It’s been described as “ Like sailing from SF to Hawaii,
:: you start off on a cold reach,

:: Set the spinnaker and slowly start shedding clothes,
:: than party like it 1999 at the finish”
::
:: I have to agree with some of that, provided your route
:: to Hawaii included narrow shipping channels, keel
:: grabbing shoals and 100 or so gybes…
::
:: The Delta Ditch Run, has become a must sail for Northern
:: Californians, in it’s 16 year history, this 67.5 mile
:: classic down winder from Richmond to Stockton has grown
:: in size

:: and popularity. Alumni of the event crow gleefully when
:: reminiscing over past year events and groan loudly if
:: their schedule conflicts with the opportunity to compete
:: in this

:: late spring extravaganza!
::
:: Originally an off shoot of the Stockton Sailing Clubs,
:: South Tower Race, which challenged crews to beat to
:: weather all the way up the Delta, to the Blackaller Buoy

:: Just inside the South Tower of the Golden Gate and back
:: again. A few Wabbiteers

:: (as Wylie Wabbit sailors refer to themselves) from the
:: Richmond Yacht Club removed the upwind portion in 1990
:: and created an instant classic. Popular with a large
:: variety

:: the sailing spectrum, from dinghy sailors to cruisers,
:: IOR leadmines, multi hulls and recently sportboats, the
:: Ditch Run provides all with a full day of ever changing
:: scenery,

:: challenging conditions and a warm fuzzy feeling at the
:: end.
::
:: It starts in the cold green waters just west of
:: Richmond, Crusing boats getting a two hour head start,
:: and by 11:00 150 plus boats line up in their divisions
:: sending slugs of colorful spinnakers under the Richmond
:: San Rafael Bridge and into the vastness of windy and
:: shallow San Pablo Bay. Things narrow dramatically in the
:: Benicia Straights, tall buildings at the C&H Sugar and
:: high hills create a vortex of wind eddies , water
:: current and commercial traffic adding to excitement.
:: Refineries mix with expensive homes dotting the
:: lanscape, then suddenly you pass under your 3rd Bridge
:: and into the Delta proper and Suisun Bay. By now you
:: have probably had 2-3 sail changes, 5-6 gybes, and
:: things are just starting to heat up. You lose a few more
:: layers and open your 1st beverage. Although the Bay is
:: wide, the sailable channel is narrow and the wind
:: refills to your aft quarter and now it does feel like a
:: Hawaiian downwinder! To your port lies the Mothball
:: fleet, aging relics from World War 2, stacked up in neat
:: rows awaiting their fate at the scrap yard. To your
:: right Mt Diablo juts high above the rolling golden brown
:: hills of the East Bay.
::
:: Approximately 15 miles after entering Suisun Bay, the
:: direct course dictates a turn into New York Slough and
:: things tighten up dramatically. Tule stands and tall
:: windmills dot the Montezuma hills to your port, on
:: starboard, the last of the real cities you will see for
:: a while, Pittsburg and Antioch with it towering modern
:: bridge, your last of the day. Wind becomes less steady
:: and the water flat, Any layers you still had on are
:: doused and quick gybes and a sharp eye on the chart are
:: now key in staying out of the mud and in the hunt. Delta
:: farmland surrounds this portion of the San Joaquin
:: River. Your reminded of a simpler time, a slower time,
:: but wait!! The river bends Sharply around Bradford
:: Island,

:: And only the flattest asymmetricals can carry. You douse
:: complete sever short tacks and reset!
::
:: The river is now the playground of water skiers, jetski
:: and wakeboards, It also has turned more southerly,
:: forcing short chutes rides followed by tight reaches
:: then tack to the windward side of the river. The
:: daylight and heat begin to fade, some of the fast boats

:: Have already finished, many are just approaching Tinsley
:: Island, Lost Isle and last stretch to the Stockton
:: Sailing Club. You can hear the music playing long befor
:: you arrive, tired and hungry you ooch for that bit of
:: boat speed and cross the finish line…
::
:: If this were a real race to Hawaii, there would be Mai
:: Tai’s, Flower leis, Hula girls to greet you, however
:: 300-400 of your closest sailing buddy’s, sporting cold
:: beer and

:: devilish grins, will have to do..