The boats they race in are thirty-five-year-old Catalina 37s. Weighing in at around 7 tonnes, with dacron sails and symmetrical kites. They have a maximum speed of around 7 knots. The event is living proof that excitement in sailboat racing comes from tactics, personality and crew work, not speed and technology.

While the bizarre spectacle that is now the Americas Cup lumbers towards a start date in August, and Sail GP (Powered by Nature!) jets its ten 50ft catamarans, and associated paraphernalia, crew and egos across the world from Christchurch to Bermuda, one event took place last weekend in California that has more skill, tradition and competitive tension than both the high profile events put together.