Milt Ingram Trophy Race returns to Central California coast

VENTURA COUNTY — The largest sailboat race of the year in Ventura County returns to California’s lower Central Coast, as the Milt Ingram Race arrives in Oxnard and Ventura during the weekend after the Fourth of July. Racing will also take place out of Santa Barbara Harbor, in neighboring Santa Barbara County.

Pierpont Bay Yacht Club’s Notice of Race positioned the regatta, which takes place July 7, as a “come one, come all” competition.

“Big boats, small boats, one hull or more – come one, come all! The weekend’s festivities are second to none among race events. Bring your family and crew and be prepared to race hard and party hearty,” the Notice of Race stated. “The race is open to all racers, whether they are members of a yacht club or not.”

The race’s handicap distance is 42 nautical miles; the designated race course heads west from Ventura and toward Platform Grace (oil rig), then south to Anacapa Island before heading toward Ventura Harbor.

Several perpetual trophies will be up for grabs at the Milt Ingram Race, which is also known as “Milt’s Race.”

The monohull with the lowest corrected time would be awarded the Milt Ingram Perpetual Trophy. Also up for grabs:  Classic Yacht Perpetual Trophy (classic yacht with the lowest corrected time); Woman Skipper Perpetual Trophy (woman skipper with lowest corrected time); First to Finish Perpetual Trophy (first monohull to finish); Craig Ashby Memorial Trophy (first ORCA multihull to finish); Mates’ Trophy ((best scoring double-handed entry); A Class Trophy (Spinnaker A boat with lowest corrected time); Spurgin Memorial Trophy (non-spinnaker with lowest corrected time); and, Catamaran Class Trophy (best placing beach catamaran).

A skippers meeting will be held at 8:30 a.m. on July 7, followed by the first start at 11 a.m.; a complimentary food spread will be available after the race.

Trophy presentations will take place after a Champagne Breakfast, which will start at 10 a.m. on July 8.

Ventura Isle Marina offers seven nights free dockage for participants docked in marinas beyond Channel Islands, Santa Barbara or Ventura harbors; Santa Barbara-docked boats are offered three nights complementary dockage at the marina, while local boats can take advantage of the offering for one night, based upon availability.

Contact Race Chair Richard Countess at 818-889-2669 or rcountess@aol.com for more information, or visit Pierpont Bay YC’s website at pbyc.org.

Milt’s Race is also part of Santa Barbara Yacht Club’s Wilson Series and the Ventura Sailing Club’s beach cat series, according to the Notice of Race.

Photo: Pierpont Bay Yacht Club