SoCal 300 begins off the coast of Santa Barbara Yacht Club

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.- The SoCal 300 yacht race starts Thursday at 1 p.m. off the coast of Santa Barbara in front of the Santa Barbara Yacht Club. It is one of the few yacht clubs that can start a race from its deck.

Renown sailers are taking part. They just completed the first and second legs of the race in San Francisco and Monterey.

They spent Wednesday preparing for the race that will go around Santa Cruz Island and finish in San Diego.

SBYC staff commodore Bill Gulfoyle said, "It is the first offshore race that covers the entire state of California."

Gulfoyle said it's getting popular.

Warrior Won skipper Christopher Sheahen usually races on the East Coast. He thinks he has a good chance against the West Coast competition.

Sheahen said he also appreciates the Pacific where his crew members have enjoyed seeing whales.

Sailing fans can watch the 1 p.m. start from the Santa Barbara Harbor or Shoreline Park.