BOAT NAME: Blue Blazes
BOAT TYPE: Reichel Pugh 50
CLASS: C
SKIPPER: Dennis Pennell
CLUB: San Diego YC
BUILT: 1992
PURCHASED: 2004

RECENT RESULTS:
2 006 San Diego to PV Race, 1st Overall, 1st in Class 3, 1st SDYC Yacht
2006 MEXORC, 1st in Class 2
2006 San Diego PHRF High Point, 2nd place
2007 San Diego PHRF High Point, 2nd place
2007 Newport- Ensenada Race, 2nd in class
2007 Cabo Race, 3rd

ABOUT THE BOAT:
Blue Blazes was designed by Reichel-Pugh Yacht Design for Hasso Plattner as Morning Glory. And built by McConaghy Yachts in Australia. Then in 2000 was bought by Dennis Conner and renamed Stars and Stripes. In late 2004 Dennis Pennell bought the boat and renamed it Blue Blazes. When the boat was Morning Glory she won the Cape Town–Rio race, Sydney–Hobart race, Transpac and many others. As Stars & Stripes she won the San Diego to Manzanillo race.

ABOUT THE CREW:
For this years race we are sailing with 11, and have had the same core group for the past 4 Mexico races.  Most of the crew have been sailing with Dennis for over 15 years now , while some of the bigger fools have raced with Dennis for 35 years. Most are members of SDYC and/or SWYC.  Dennis Pennell-Owner/Helm.  John Craig-Nav/Helm.  Matt Smith-Trim/Helm/Pit.  Mike Monastra-Trim/Helm.  Damian Craig-Trim/Helm.  Brian Janney-Sails/Helm.  Ray Cooke-Bow.  Dan Caldwell-Pit/Cook.  Roger Anderson-Grinder/Trim.  Walt Groves-Mast.  Ed Blinks-Main.

WHAT'S IN A NAME:
The first Blue Blazes belonged to Eugene Pennell, Dennis’ father.  It was a Buchan 37 the won almost every regatta in Southern California, sailing out of SDYC for 29 years. In late 2003 Eugene passed away.  So as a tribute to his father, and since the boat was already blue, Dennis renamed this boat when he bought it to Blue Blazes.

RANDOM:
The first long distance race we did on the boat was the 2005 Newport to Cabo Race. That year it stayed windy all the way down the coast. On the evening of day 2 the wind picked back up into the low 20’s and the boat speed was now around 17 knots. Dan, our pitman and chef was down below making a wonderful seafood stir-fry. We were all up on deck enjoying the sunset when Dennis came up from down below with a fresh change of clothes on, and a large plate of food. Ed was sitting near the front of the cockpit and gave up his seat tell Denny “Sit here I’ve been sitting here for 15 minutes and haven’t gotten wet yet.” \r\nBrian was driving, and Mike was trimming the main. Dennis sat down made a comment about how nice the sunset was and got ready to take a bite of his dinner. When all of a sudden a large wave picked the boat up and we shot down the face at 22 knots of boat speed. Both Mike and JC turned their backs and braced for the wall of water. When the water cleared poor Dennis was soaked and holding an empty plate and fork. Some of the crew called out the 5 second rule and started picking up left over shrimp from the stir-fry off of the deck.