Racing into the New Year with January Regattas
New Year’s Day Events
New Year’s Day traditions abide. Among races on Monday, January 1, will be:
- The Master Mariners New Year’s Day Regatta from the east side of Treasure Island to Point San Pablo Yacht Club in Richmond, ending with a Tacky Trophy exchange.
- We’re told that four is the correct number of r’s in the title of Coyote Point YC’s Brrrr Rabbit pursuit race on the South Bay out of San Mateo.
- Mission Bay YC in San Diego will have a Hangover Regatta.
- San Diego YC’s New Year’s Day Race is immensely popular with the locals there. It’s free!
Midwinter Series Starting in January
Although most Midwinter Series started in November or December, more join the fun in January:
- Corinthian YC’s two-weekend Midwinter Series will begin on January 20-21 and end on February 17-18, with raft-ups and parties on each Saturday night.
- Oakland YC’s Sunday Brunch Series will kick off on January 7 and run every other Sunday through April 7, with racing on the Estuary. Sign up on Jibeset.
- Coyote Point YC’s Winter Races will start on January 14.
California Dreamin’ Adds a Stop
Balboa YC in Newport Harbor has joined the travelin’ match-racing series for the 2024 season. California Dreamin’ will kick off at San Diego YC on January 27-28 in J/22s, travel to Balboa YC for sailing in Governor’s Cup 21s on February 18-29, head north to St. Francis YC for more J/22 racing on March 16-17, then finish up in SoCal at Long Beach YC in Catalina 37s. Read the Notice of Series here, then request an invitation here.
Three Bridge Fiasco
The Singlehanded Sailing Society’s 2024 season will start with a big bang at the Three Bridge Fiasco pursuit race on January 27. Singlehanders and doublehanders will start in front of Golden Gate YC — crossing the line in either direction. Then they’ll round the three marks, Blackaller Buoy, Yerba Buena Island and Red Rock, in any order and any direction. If they can make it around in time against adverse currents and fluky breezes, they’ll finish in either direction. There’s a reason they call it a Fiasco! We expect registration to open soon at www.jibeset.net/JACKY000.php?RG=T005347597. Be advised that the SSS has instituted a late fee for those among us who procrastinate.
As noted elsewhere in today’s ‘Lectronic Latitude, the 2024 Northern California Sailing Calendar and YRA Schedule is making the rounds today along with the January issue of Latitude 38. You’ll find many more worthy events and regattas in both of those publications.
Readers — registration is now open for the Three Bridge Fiasco. Here’s a message from the SSS race chair:
“Registration is now open for the largest race on San Francisco Bay, by number of entries: the January 27, 2024 Three Bridge Fiasco.
We’ve made several changes that are net improvements.
* The annual membership fee is now only $120, saving $50 compared to last year
* The single race entry fee is now only $35, saving $15/race compared to last year
* T-Shirts are now sold and distributed separately, making it simpler to get shirts
* A new a $10 late fee for registering in the last week of registration should lead to better class breaks
* Some race-specific information moves out of the general NOR and into per-race NOR addendums to reduce information that only applies to other races
* The long list of “one design” boats has been slimmed down to reflect participation last year
Register now for an unforgettable day on the water: https://jibeset.net/JACKY000.php?RG=T005347597
This is the first race of 2024, and one source of stress racers can face for early races is getting a 2024 YRA PHRF certificate. (For this race you can also use a 2023 one.) Please reduce your own stress, and the stress at YRA, by applying for that as early as possible.
Thank you for racing with the Singlehanded Sailing Society, and we look forward to seeing you on the water!”