Regattas Abound in the Month of May
On San Francisco Bay
The Great Vallejo Race is coming up fast, and the deadline to register is almost upon us. The race to and from Vallejo Yacht Club sails this weekend, May 2-3. Enter no later than tomorrow, Thursday, April 30, or your boat will be left behind, sobbing at the dock. As of this morning (April 29), the entry list hit the 100 mark. VYC dredged their harbor this winter, so there’s plenty of space for everyone. See www.jibeset.net/YRA000.php?RG=T007124066.
Down in the South Bay, Sequoia YC’s Summer Series kicks off this Saturday. Sign up on Jibeset: www.jibeset.net/SEQYC000.php?RG=T00453062.
Feeling a little dinghy? Try the Elvstrom-Zellerbach regatta at St. Francis on May 16-17. “The regatta is the pairing of two long-running events at St. Francis,” says Tracy Usher, “the Zellerbach going all the way back to the early 1960s, the Elvstrom the brain child of Don Trask first run in 1975. Paul Elvstrom finished second (having never sailed a Laser before then). This year the race office has tried to keep the number of fleets lower in order to improve the quality of the racing, so we are looking at only four fleets racing on the Cityfront: 5O5, i420, ILCA 6 and ILCA 7. The early registration deadline is this Thursday (April 30) by the end of the day. After that the registration fee will increase by $40.” Sign up at https://theclubspot.com/regatta/DvWydBVpcN.
But can even a dinghy get out of the San Francisco Marina right now, not to mention a fleet of race committee assets? Here’s what Tracy told the Laser fleet: “I am sure plenty of you have seen the fun pics and videos on social media about the entrance to the harbor at St. Francis. The good news is that a new dredging company has been contracted and will start operations early next week. They anticipate the channel to improve daily, and it should be possible for the RC to pass before the weekend of the regatta. In addition, we should be in a high-tide cycle making transit possible.”
The Master Mariners Memorial Day Regatta will start in front of StFYC on Saturday, May 23. The boats will finish near Clipper Cove behind Treasure Island after traversing the Bay on various courses. Encinal YC in Alameda will host the usual post-regatta raft-up, party and dinner with music and dancing. Many boats spend the night and sail home the following day after a potluck breakfast. See www.sfmastermariners.org/regatta.
Hitch Up the Trailer
The Lake Yosemite Sailing Association in Merced invites trailer-sailors to their Spring Regatta on May 16-17. They welcome all dinghies and keelboats for four or more races over two days. They offer a Saturday night BBQ dinner, free tent and RV camping, and “legendary LYSA hospitality.” See www.lakeyosemitesailing.org/spring-regatta.
Out on the Ocean
On May 9, the Yacht Racing Association’s Duxship Race (a triangle sailed within one day) and Bluewater Bash (a 150-mile race to a point 75 miles offshore and back) will both start off the Cityfront.
May 23 will be a busy Saturday on the West Bay. In addition to the Master Mariners Regatta, the Singlehanded Farallones will sail out the Golden Gate for a loop around SE Farallon Island. And the Spinnaker Cup will kick off California Offshore Race Week. Registration for the SHF will close on May 20; see www.jibeset.net/JACKY000.php?RG=T002648191 for details and to register. Note that SSS offshore races now require an AIS transponder (not just a receiver).
California Offshore Race Week will consist of the Spinnaker Cup from San Francisco to Monterey on May 23-24, the Coastal Cup from Monterey to Santa Barbara on May 25-26, and the SoCal 300 to San Diego on May 28-30. See www.offshoreraceweek.com.
More in Southern California
San Diego YC will welcome the Etchells Worlds on May 7-15. As of this writing, 76 boats from eight countries had registered.
In the Pacific Northwest
“The Pacific NW Offshore Race is one of the longest coastal West Coast races, and likely the most challenging,” writes Philip Lewis. “The race runs 193 miles from just outside the Columbia River Bar to Victoria, BC. We get racers from not just the Portland area but also from Seattle, Victoria and Vancouver. It has occurred to us that we never extended invitations to California sailors.” This 50th edition will start on May 14.
You can watch a video of the record-setting 2014 race at www.youtube.com/watch?v=B36UFkysvrI.
“We know the trip to Oregon is long and not without its discomforts,” continues Philip. “However, the Offshore is only one activity. Once in Victoria, a week later is the Swiftsure Race (May 23-34). There are some great cruising grounds, such as the San Juan Islands, Canadian Gulf Islands, and Barkley Sound.”
We’ve Reached the Time Limit
Much like most regattas, we’ve got a cutoff time, so we’ll leave this list for now. However, you’ll find many, many additional fun events on Latitude 38’s annual and monthly calendars (the May issue will come out this Friday, May 1). You’re also welcome to use the Comments section below to promote your favorite upcoming regatta(s).