Unbeknownst to many, there is a newcomer to this fleet that years ago had ensured its domain against rock stars by implementing an anti-pro rule. Despite his reputation, this brazen PHRF rookie looked harmless enough. Yet all he had to show was a boat acknowledged as being years past its prime, even in a fleet where performance handicaps theoretically create a level playing field.
Awards ceremony at the club.
Everyone is talking. Some are upset, others write it off to pure genius, and a few inquisitive souls are out in the parking lot looking at a dark blue wolf in sheep s clothing. Menace XVII , a CF 27 owned by none other than Dennis Conner, had just stunned the local racing scene by winning the prestigious San Diego Yachting Cup in class. The boat had commanding speed, motoring ahead of its class, and sailing right through the bigger, faster boats. Downwind, it looked like the rig was going to come out of the boat, it was raked so far forward.