SSS Three Bridge Fiasco Preview

As of this morning, 237 boats were signed up to race in the Three Bridge Fiasco on January 27. The crazy pursuit race kicks off the Singlehanded Sailing Society’s season. What’s so crazy about it? What makes it a ‘fiasco’? The hundreds of boats start at seemingly random times (predetermined and assigned according to their handicap rating) and can cross the startline off the Golden Gate Yacht Club in either direction. From there, they can sail the course in either direction and round the three marks to port or starboard in any order. The marks are: Blackaller Buoy (near the South Tower of the Golden Gate Bridge), Yerba Buena/Treasure Island (which bisects the Bay Bridge) and Red Rock (just south of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge). Please note that the order we’ve just listed in no way implies an endorsement of that possible course! Once the mark roundings are complete, sailors can cross the finish line back at GGYC from either direction. Making the race even more challenging, all the boats will be sailed single- or doublehanded.

Ever since New Year’s, discussions on the docks and at yacht club bars have begun with the question "Which way are you going to go?" Reliable answers are usually not forthcoming until one actually crosses the line, but the topic makes for some lively conversation. In addition to wind, one of the factors affecting the decision is current. On Saturday the 27th, a big ebb is predicted to dominate the afternoon. More detailed pictures of the day’s currents can be formed by visiting tbone.biol.sc.edu/tide/index.html. While it might be possible to fairly accurately predict the weather for this weekend’s Corinthian Midwinters (though we won’t presume to do so here), the following weekend is really too far away to say what role the weather will play.

We highly recommend that skippers and their crews (especially first-timers) attend the skippers’ meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 24, at Oakland Yacht Club in Alameda. Wednesday is also the deadline to sign up. See you out there!