At 11:50 on Sunday, March 9, the Big Daddy RC boat fired two guns. Groans were heard, but no one was too shocked, as the wind had yet to fill. The race committee chalked it up to Daylight Saving Time coming too early, and postponed for an hour. The RC went into sequence as promised, and the one J/24 on the line looked to be poised for a perfect start - only to be foiled at 12:59 by the dreaded double gun! An hour later, the J/24 had already gone home, but a good Big Daddy Pursuit Race finally got started from the Southampton Shoal area of the Richmond Channel.

What happened in those two hours? Did hundreds of racers go quietly (or loudly) insane? Only their psychiatrists know for sure, but we can report bizarre behavior such as halyard flying, swimming between boats (Bay water’s in the 50s, mind you - and it’s still winter), body painting, costume wearing, water cannon fights, and salsa dancing.

Many thanks to Rich Hudnut, Jr., and the crew of Jitterbug for providing some entertaining pre-race photos. What happened in the race you wanna know? Turn the page! (Click the ‘next’ button at the bottom right.)