No worries PJ. My guess is 50% of the combined YRA and SSS fleet either didn't have enough fuel to motor 8 hours over 2 days, couldn't make the square root of LWL in feet in knots, or both. I haven't researched the question, but believe when racing in the ocean, the SSS and YRA fleets must follow OYRA safety rules. https://www.jibeset.net/show.php?RR=...DOC=X0&TYP=pdf Section 2.7.2
Is section 2.7.2 regarding motoring speed and time realistic for Gulf of the Farallons waters? Not for me to say.
But there is a lot of shipping in our waters, and sometimes a need to get out of the way fast or approach or standby another boat in need of assistance.
FYI, I wasn't racing, but my view of Drakes 1&2 from Pt. Reyes is posted on the other thread, New Boat 4 Sled.