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North American Cruiser Association
www.predictedlog.com
Robert Johnson, Commodore
IPBA - Puget Sound North
Tel: 206-842-2200
p-bjohnson@bainbridge.net
News Release
For more information, contact:
Jean Clement, Limelight
909-679-6388
jean@limelightpr.com
San Diego Doctor Overcomes Adverse Conditions
Off Coast of Vancouver, British Columbia, to Win Annual
North American Predicted Log Competition
SAN DIEGO, CA, August 15, 2002 ------ Battling 4- to 12-foot waves and 15-knot winds for part
of the 36.6-mile race course off Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Dr. Paul Pettit of San
Diego on August 10 won the 2002 North American Invitational (NAI) predicted log competition
with an overall error rate of .95%. He also received the trophy for the lowest total predicted
finish time with a mere 2-second error. The competition is sponsored annually by North
American Cruiser Association (NACA) and hosted each year by a member association; this year
by International Power Boat Association (IPBA), Gulf of Georgia.
Piloting a diesel-powered 47-foot Bayliner, Dr. Pettit and his crew bested 13 other predicted log
racers --- the champions of NACA’s member associations, the 2001 NAI defending champion,
and a guest racer from Perth, Australia. Dr. Pettit represented San Diego Cruiser Association
(SDCA) and Coronado Cays Yacht Club (CCYC).
More
Page 2 --- San Diego Doctor Wins 2002 North American Invitational
Dr. Pettit said this particular competition was a highlight of his 22 years in log racing. ‘‘The seas
off Vancouver Island were as rough as I’ve ever experienced in a log race,’’ he noted. ‘‘Twice
we were engulfed by waves that went over the fly bridge. The wave action was due to an
extreme ebb tide and 15-knot winds for a portion of the course.’’
The team from Illinois representing the Chicago Yacht Club had to abort the competition and
return to port when a ‘‘chop’’ of more than 9 feet caused damage to their vessel, team member
Lisa Curcio-Gaston reported.
Over the years, Dr. Pettit has garnered many awards in predicted logging. He has won two
national championships and the West Coast (Barusch/Castagna) championship and has been
SDCA champion 14 times. Among the many awards he’s received, Dr. Pettit twice was named
San Diego Association of Yacht Clubs Yachtsman of the Year. He is past commodore of
NACA, SDCA and CCYC.
Other Award Recipients
Mr. Bev Pillsworth of Richmond, British Columbia, representing IPBA, Gulf of Georgia, and
Airport Yacht Club, placed second in the 2002 NAI. Third-place finisher was Brian Cutler of
Rowland Heights, CA, vice commodore of Southern California Cruiser Association and a
member of Shoreline Yacht Club, Long Beach. Clem Hartley of Alameda, CA, representing
Predicted Log Racing Association of Northern California and a member of Oakland Yacht Club,
took home the Lou Gandelman Perpetual Trophy for outstanding service to the development of
predicted log racing.
North American Cruiser Association is a national organization promoting the sport of predicted
log racing (aka cruiser navigation) in the United States and Canada. The 29-year-old
organization, with roots going back more than 60 years, sanctions competitions by its 12 member
associations along the east and west coasts and on the Great Lakes. The 2003 NAI will be
hosted by Southern California Cruiser Association, which is comprised of boaters from yacht
clubs in the Long Beach / Los Angeles / Ventura area.
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