South Beach YC Hosts New Kasio Cup Regatta
South Beach Yacht Club, host of the Jazz Cup and Red Bra regattas, has announced a new “fun-first, yet competitive” regatta that will run on March 14 and 15, the Kasio Cup. And while they acknowledge that the Bay Area has many existing regattas, they have planned this one to be different from the usual formats: “Think a combination of the Tour de France and Formula 1, with the same high energy and inclusive spirit as SBYC’s Red Bra Regatta and Jazz Cup.”
The regatta’s title, Kasio Cup, is the club’s tongue tongue-in-cheek response to what they say are some of the more prestigious, and often out-of-reach, regattas on the Bay that feature luxury watches. “We want to win watches too, but we want to win watches that are appropriate for sailing. Winners of the Kasio Cup will be awarded a digital, waterproof timepiece that can actually be worn while sailing hard.”
Saturday’s racing format is short-course racing that emphasizes frequent starts, close maneuvers and tactical decision making. “Like the Tour de France, Saturday is not about winning a single race, but about performance across a series of races. Consistency, judgment, and recovery matter as much as raw speed.” In addition, the day includes a “strategic game component” that was inspired by Formula 1 racing. The regatta Notice to Competitors states, “Competitors must execute one or more ‘Required Actions,’ which will be defined in the Sailing Instructions. These actions are mandatory and are not penalties. They are designed to test seamanship in a safe and engaging way and may slow a boat down if not executed well. As in Formula 1 with tire changes, the strategy comes from deciding when to deploy them. Different crews may make different choices, and those choices matter. Required Actions must be completed by the end of the final race on Saturday.” One example of a required action “could include taking a 720-degree turn…”
Sunday is set to be a little more simple with a “round-the–Mid- and South-Bay race using fixed marks, in the spirit of the Three Bridge Fiasco.” The name of this part of the regatta? The “Three-Buoy Fiasco.”
While the racing will be competitive, the event is designed to be accessible by cost, experience, and attitude, the club says. “The Kasio Cup is intended to welcome both seasoned racers and newer crews, with additional award categories that celebrate first-time racers, youth racers, and, very likely, the best dressed on Sunday’s race.” The club also advises that berthing is available for visiting boats, and that skippers may make arrangements directly with the Pier 40 harbormaster. Discounted rates are available to competitors.
This is sounding like a fun weekend! You can find more information and a link to register here: Kasio Cup Regatta.