Finn Pacific Coast Championship rounds out the fleet's sailing season

Pacific Coast Championship © San Diego Yacht Club

There has been nearly five months of a Covid-19 sailing lull for most San Diego and other national fleets due to the San Diego County guidance restricting recreational boating to crew of the same household.

However, one fleet - the Finn fleet - heads back to the race course for the Finn Pacific Coast Championship (PCC) at the San Diego Yacht Club. On Saturday and Sunday, September 12-13, an expected 25 Finns will compete on the Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Zuniga Jetty.

Fortunately for the fleet, the Finn is a singlehanded boat allowing for proper social distancing on the water and safe, fun racing that follows the state and county guidelines. Sailors will attend a virtual or distanced Competitors Meeting on the Sail Wash Lawn at 0930 on Saturday, September 12. The first warning signal is at 1130. Following racing on Sunday, awards will be given individually. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, there will be no social gatherings pre or post event.

The Finn fleet continues to grow rapidly, encouraging new sailors of all ages to join in the fleet. Among the newcomers sailing in the PCC is Roland Fournier from Long Beach's ABYC. Fournier is a veteran Big Boat sailor who has sailed in multiple Mexican races and Transpac races. Training 3-4 times a week on Long Beach conditions, Fournier will be a must-watch during the event.

In addition to Fournier is two-year Finn sailor Tim Fleming who enjoys his time on the boat and of course the famous Finn band. "The best part of sailing the Finn is the great community of sailors both in Southern California and nationally. As a new sailor, I feel welcome and infinitely challenged to improve my own skills. Dinghy sailors have a reasonable exception from Covid-19 boating restrictions, and we have been appropriately active. We are thankful for the efforts of SDYC and their Race Committee that has allowed for some nicely attended and safely executed regattas over this summer," explained Fleming.

This summer, the Finn fleet has had the opportunity to continue their sailing series and most recently participated in the San Diego Olympic Classes Regatta held at the San Diego Yacht Club in early August. Legendary sailor Henry Sprague took first at the event, followed closely behind by SDYC S/C Michael Dorgan. Sprague holds the 2016 and 2017 title for the Finn PCC. The 2018 title was won by Robert Kinney and the 2019 title by Eric Anderson.

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