420: Important championships this week in both Europe and the USA; "yutes" stocking up in

SAN FRANCISCO (#1160) – Sunday afternoon we ran into Sailing Illustrated Contributor Jeffrey Petersen (Santa Ana, Balboa Yacht Club) and Marbella Marlo (Corona del Mar, Newport Harbor Yacht Club) in the checkout line at the Marina Safeway near St Francis Yacht Club. Just another young, domesticated couple shopping for the upcoming week? Yes and no.

Truth is, they are in SF for the C420 North Americans being hosted by StFYC this week with fully 100 entries from as far away as the Bayerische Yacht-Club (Munich, GER). The Club 420, used primarily in the USA for junior, high school and

college sailing programs, is a more robust version of the popular I420. In many countries the International 420 is a stepping stone for young sailors coming out of the singlehanded Optimist and Laser classes into double-handed sailing – and ultimately, for many, the Olympic 470 Class.

For non-sailors or those new to our sport, the 420 (photo below) is 4.2 meters long, the 470 a bit larger at 4.7 meters with a larger sail-plan, and bigger and normally older crews.

Jeffrey and Marbella have teamed up for what no doubt will be a chilly, breezy, and highly competitive championship this week with many top teen sailors from North America and beyond.

Jeffrey and Marbella told your Ed. that their goal is to finish in the top ten. To keep regatta costs down, they are staying in a local StFYC members' home, and went shopping yesterday so they can fix their own meals including lunches to take on the water each day. Their cart was not exactly overflowing, but quite a haul nonetheless. More meat, less carbs?

Coincidentally, the I420 Worlds are taking place this week in Vilamoura, POR where today the 456 sailors in the 420 Open, Women and U17 fleets moved onto races 3 and 4. Today, Day 2, defending World Champs Seb Menzies/Blake McGlashan (NZL) had another exceptional performance to claim two more race wins, making it four in a row.

Nice photo from the I420 Worlds underway in Portugal this week. We'd tell you who it is, but the Class, like too many others, sends out PR photos without the names of the competitors. And we complain that our sport doesn't get enough attention in the mainstream media.