Elusive II, the 40-foot Kettenburg sloop owned by Ventura resident Don Greene, won the Strathmore Cup in the 30th and last, running of the McNish Classic Yacht Race last Saturday. Sally, a 1928 10-meter owned by C.F. Koehler, of San Diego, was the fastest around the course taking 3 hours, 5 minutes and 56 seconds to earn elapsed-time honors as the 59-foot sloop averaged 5.48 knots.

"We're so proud of our old girl," gushed Greene jubilantly. "Last year our steering failed at the start, we rigged a foot-operated emergency tiller, managed to pass the winner Silvan twice, but still lost the race by seconds."

Sponsored by the Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club and Mumm's Champagne, Greene also won his weight in French Champagne — four cases full. There was some serious partying Saturday following the race. When dawn broke Sunday morning, only three cases remained unopened.

"We really worked hard using the light winds that are perfect for Kettenburgs," Greene said. "We ran a different kind of race from the rest of the fleet based on our local knowledge to sail according to an educated tactic."

Most boats flew spinnakers on the second leg, something founder Dick McNish can't recall ever happening before. Wind conditions were backward from years past. Traditionally, prevailing winds don't allow spinnakers to be used until boats have rounded the Mandalay buoy. This year, the wind stayed south to southwest, started very light at 5-8 knots withering to 3 by the finish. Of the 30 boats entered, only 20 finished the 17-mile course.

"It was a challenging race with the wind conditions," said retiring founder McNish, "We had to work harder than usual, but it was good to see old friends and it's wonderful that our old boat race lasted this long."

McNish, 80, who shuttered the event at the close of the race, went down in defeat once again. There is a question that if crewman and professional sailor Kevin Miller had not jumped ship midway through the race, the outcome might have been different.

Miller, married to an attorney, had sworn under oath to his wife not to be late for a fancy dress dinner Saturday evening. McNish called his publicist, Louise Ann Noeth, on the media boat to "please take someone off Cheerio II," but Noeth wasn't going to miss being at the finish of the last race to bring him back to PCYC dock.

Miller, not wanting to be a pest, asked for a couple of plastic bags for his phone, wallet, clothes, etc. and simply jumped overboard at the beach near the Rudder Room. It remains uncertain if he swam out of love or fear.

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Three Ventura County skippers brought home first-place trophies from last weekend's 101-boat Santa Barbara to King Harbor Race.

Taking first in class and first overall in the fleet was Bill Gibbs of Pierpont Bay Yacht Club aboard his 54-foot catamaran, Afterburner.

First in ULDB-B and eighth overall was Mike Warns of Channel Islands Yacht Club in his Santa Cruz 50, Fifty One Fifty.

First in PHRF C and 34th overall was PK Edwards of Ventura Yacht Club aboard Wind Dancer, a Catalina 42.

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Upcoming sailboat race:

n Saturday, Wes Golemon Memorial Race. Hosted by Anacapa Yacht Club, this race around Anacapa Island honors the memory of a departed longtime AYC member. The race starts at the Mandalay bouy, then leaves the "Wes mark" and Anacapa Island to starboard, platform Gail to starboard and finishing in front of the AYC clubhouse. This is the third race in AYC's Anacapa Island Series and scores double points in the Ventura County High Point Standings. The skippers' meeting is at 8:30 a.m. The race begins at 11. Entry fee is $30. Steaming hot soup or chili and cold beer and other refreshments will await racers at the clubhouse after they finish. There will be a post-race Sunday breakfast and trophy party at 10 a.m. For more information, contact Gene Beville at 985-7921.

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2007 Ocean sailboat racing schedule:

Saturday, AYC, Wes Golemon Memorial (Anacapa Series 3, double points).

Aug. 18, CIYC, Neil Underwood Memorial Regatta.

Aug. 19, PCYC, TGIS Series 1.

Aug. 25, PBYC, Tri Point Race (Land Rover Series 3, double points).

Sept. , AYC, Santa Barbara City Race/Tequila Derby.

— Fax your race announcements, results and other information to Stan Whisenhunt at 659-3058 or call him at 659-1464. His e-mail address is Swhisenhun@aol.com.