14th Annual Zongo Yachting Cup: August 5, 2023
The 14th Annual Zongo Cup was a wild one!
In stark contrast to last year’s picture-perfect, Chamber of Commerce sailing, 2023 saw some of the most challenging conditions to date in the 14 years we’ve run this race.
Starting out the festivities was a great party at Morro Bay Yacht Club on Friday evening, featuring a live performance of the namesake band: The Zongo All-Stars. Kendall Welch and her amazing team served up a Cubano-style dinner to pair with the music: pork sliders, rice & beans, chips, & fresh cookies. People are still raving about it!
Then we ran the race on Saturday - you’ll be hearing the stories for quite some time!
Race results below:
RACE RECAP:
First Place -Cruising Class: Janina / Santa Cruz 27
Skippers: Mark Hilden / John Krossa
Finish Time: 13:46:36
Corrected Time: n/a
This trophy goes to the first boat crossing the finish line by any means - sail, motor, paddle, row, etc…
First Place PHRF: Janina / Santa Cruz 27
Skippers: Mark Hilden / John Krossa
Elapsed Time - 2:46:36
Corrected Finish Time - 2:04:58
Second Place PHRF:Mistress Quickly / Santa Cruz 27
Skipper: Carlton Smith
Elapsed Time: 2:55:15
Corrected Finish Time: 2:13:37
Third Place: Impulse / Columbia 10.7
Skipper: Aaron Young
Elapsed Time: 4:04:00
Corrected Time: 3:13:19
Race results: PHRF handicapped sailing
Janina / Santa Cruz 27 / PHRF 138 / Skipper: Mark Hilden / Finished at 1:46:36 / Corrected 2:04:58
Mistress Quickly / Santa Cruz 27 / PHRF 138 / Skipper: Carlton Smith / Finished at 1:55:15 / Corrected 2:13:37
Impulse / Columbia 10.7 / PHRF 168 / Skipper: Aaron Young / Finished at 3:04:00 / Corrected 3:13:19
Page One / Beneteau 1st 42 / PHRF 81 / Skipper: Joe Silano / Finished at 2:38:00 / Corrected 3:13:34
RAKA / Beneteau Oceanis 400 / PHRF 105 / Skipper: Beau Goddard / Finished at 2:56:00 / Corrected 3:24:20
Cruising Class (First to Finish get 1st place, all others who sail/motor/paddle the course & finish by 5:00 tie for 2nd Place)
Janina / Santa Cruz 27 / PHRF 138 / Skipper: Mark Hilden / Finished at 1:46:36
Tie between: Mistress Quickly / Impulse / Page One / Raka / Casablanca / Amelie
Scallywag Award - Last to Finish:
RAKA / Beneteau Oceanis 400 / PHRF 105 / Skipper: Beau Goddard / Finished at 2:56:00 / Corrected 3:24:20
Most Harrowing Voyage Award:
Alba Rose / Catalina 25 / Patrick & Rose Denny
Patrick & Rose were sailing the course on Alba Rose about 3 miles offshore when their rudder snapped in half, rendering their vessel disabled. As they drifted toward the lee shore, Patrick had the foresight to deploy an anchor & about 200’ of rode. As luck would have it, they were drifting right for Pecho Rock! Luckily, the anchor grabbed just before becoming shipwrecked, and with the assist of the Coast Guard & the Port San Luis Harbor Patrol - they were towed safely into port. If you want the full story, buy them a drink next time you see them and maybe they’ll tell you all about it!
Disqualified:
Feolina / Valiant 32 / Skipper: Brian Coggins - Took Westdahl Rock Buoy to Starboard (not Port)
Synergy / Catalina 27 / Skipper: John Crews - Took Westdahl Rock Buoy to Starboard (not Port)
Started, but Did Not Finish:
Alba Rose / Catalina 25 / Patrick & Rose Denny
Casablanca / C&C Landfall 38 / Mike Harrold
Sur la Mer / Pearson Triton / Laura & Charlie McCarren
Amelie / Catalina 34 / Bob Hurd
La Serena / Islander 32 / Scott Morris
The race was a wild ride! There are lots more stories to tell. Let’s hear your story. Here are some ways you can participate and help grow the event next year:
EXTRA SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Morro Bay Yacht Club for hosting and support of the event
San Luis Yacht Club for extending a warm welcome and throwing a fantastic reception party at their clubhouse
Paul Irving - this year’s organizer & Race PRO
All the racers & crews who came out & participated in the race
Paul Dunn for running on the water support vessels.
Port San Luis Harbor Patrol for their support in the race
Joyce & Armand for providing ground transportation from Port San Luis to the party at SLYC
Carly Kaiser & Amy Joseph for getting out on the RC boats for race photography.
Zongo All-Stars for providing the great live music at Morro Bay Yacht Club
