Skip to content

Big Turnout for Three Bridge Fiasco, and There Might Be Wind!

The annual Three Bridge Fiasco race is set for this weekend. Jim Quanci, commodore of the Singlehanded Sailing Society, which hosts the race, sent us the following update and reminders of what sailors can expect this weekend.

The Singlehanded Sailing Society had the first in-person competitors’ meeting for the Three Bridge Fiasco since the pandemic at Oakland YC on Wednesday evening. Over 100 people attended. The first half-hour was dedicated to free swag awards from the race committee to random skippers drawn from various categories, from “doublehanded skipper with the oldest Fiasco shirt” to “all registered doublehanded skippers” to “singlehanded highest-handicap 2024 Fiasco finisher.” Winners took home insulated stainless steel water bottles showing the predicted currents for the race.

The Race Committee (RC) then talked about the biggest race on the West Coast, and perhaps anywhere in the country this year. With 331 boats registered, there are six boats with sail number 11. Five boats with sail number 6. Multiple boats named Cassiopeia, Chance, Free, Orca, Spirit, Surprise! (including exclamation point) and Tivoli, as well as homonyms like Flight vs. Flite, and Lonestar (no space) vs. Lone Star (with space). It’s important racers always give sail number and boat name to know who’s who! And listen for both when at check-in, since maybe that was the other Surprise! who was recorded.

Some safety steps were highlighted as well. Racers were asked to check inflatable life jackets if they have not been inspected in the last 12 months. Watch out for various marine hazards, and prohibited areas intended to keep racers out of marine hazards. Don’t impede ships.

They touched on the importance of sending a text message with the sail number and boat name if racers will not finish the race.

But the big surprise of the 2025 Fiasco did not get as much attention as the RC was pressed for time: There might be WIND this year! Different forecast models still show different things as of this writing, but here’s the PredictWind PWE model showing 24 knots at Alcatraz mid-day Saturday:

Three Bridge Fiasco wind forecast

And a more sedate 6 kts from ECMWF model:

Three Bridge Fiasco wind forecast

Could be windy!

Racers were reminded that Rule 41 prohibits outside help during the race, and that includes paid weather services. Log out of SailFlow before your race.

After the presentation, skippers and crew socialized for an hour to catch up with old friends. Racers were reminded to come to the Fiasco Awards meeting and Corinthian Race Competitors’ Meeting on Wednesday, February 19, at Oakland.

The spinnaker mosh pit under the Bay Bridge.
This photo of 2024‘s TBF “spinnaker mosh pit” under the Bay Bridge reminds us of the light winds throughout the race.
© 2025 Latitude 38 Media LLC / John

An annual favorite in the Bay, the SSS Three Bridge Fiasco is the biggest yacht race in the US west of the Mississippi River, with 300+ boats every year. The race is a pursuit race (slowest boats start first), starts and finishes on the Cityfront at the Golden Gate Yacht Club, and the course involves the Blackaller buoy (by the Golden Gate Bridge), Yerba Buena Island/Treasure Island (Bay Bridge), and Red Rock (by the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge). The marks can be rounded in any order and any direction, providing the crazy appeal of this race.

 

Sailing

3 Comments

  1. Ants Uiga 2 weeks ago

    Here’s to continuing praise for the race committees over the history of the race. Each year brings new challenges and the race committees make it work. Besides participating in the race, consider supporting by volunteering and encourage others to volunteer also.

    Shucks, my ‘84 and ‘85 SSS Three Bridge Fiasco t shirts would have been a shoe-in for awards, if only I was at the meeting.

    Good cheer to all!

    • milly Biller 2 weeks ago

      This race was basically Ants’ brainchild. We all have him to thank for it !

  2. Kirk Denebeim 2 weeks ago

    Great. “Wind expected.” And I’m not in town, nor is my boat ready to sail (just relocated from Charleston). Why oh why oh why? Every year I do the race, the wind dies and I never finish. Every year I miss the race- beautiful conditions. Grrrrr……….

Leave a Comment