Eleven Mercs entered the third edition of the 2016 Norcal Series. The water was smooth. The wind very shifty, velocity 4-10 kts. A very warm day without a lot of sun. The northerly that came from Oakland, would not go away and the southerly off Alameda never developed, but there was some weasterly.

Race one was a sausage finishing on the wind. Jim and Kathy Bradley were sailing very fast and picked the good wind slot to pass Pax Davis and Chris Davis on the downwind leg. Bradley won with Davis second. Hal and Anne McCormack also closed on the downwind leg and placed third.

Race two, same course McCormack was off very fast and was able to hold the lead to win the race. Randy Smith and Teresa Peek followed to place second. Bradley threatened, but placed third.

The breeze was nearing the highest velocity of the day. The course was a double windward leg, finishing downwind. Davis was off fast and led all the way, but on the run to the finish, Bradley caught up and won the race by 12 inches. Davis was second as McCormack was very close to place third.

Race four was a double sausage. Davis was leading Smith at the first leeward mark, but was slow to cover Smith on a very favored starboard tack and Smith held for the final lap to win the race. Davis was second and had to contend with Myron Erickson and Todd Austin. This was Myron’s first race back after a couple of years off with an illness. He finished about five seconds behind Davis to place third.

Race five was a twice around with McCormack doing everything possible to maintain the lead over Smith and Bradley. He was able to do this with good speed and and going the right way. Smith was second with Bradley third.

McCormack had the low score for the day. The first four boats finished within two points of each other with the throw out. Davis maintained the lead for the series.

Again we thank Ken and MarIanne Popplewell for their excellent work running the races!