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Updates from Event Organizers

Yacht Racing Association of San Francisco Bay

“The YRA racing season was scheduled to kick off on April 4 with the Berkeley YC-sponsored Wheeler Regatta, followed by the April 18th Lightship Race, and then the Great Vallejo Race on April 25-26,” advises the YRA. “The April 4th Wheeler Regatta has been canceled, and the 2020 Great Vallejo Race is officially postponed until October 10-11. We have yet to make a final decision on the April 18th Lightship Race but will be sure to let you know once a decision on that race has been made.” See www.yra.org, and subscribe to their email newsletter to keep your balance on the constantly shifting sands of our times.

VYC raft-up
We’re already looking forward to October and gathering with friends in the Vallejo Race raft-up, sharing food and libations.
© 2020 Latitude 38 Media LLC / Chris

Pac Cup Prep

Early this week, Pacific Cup YC Commodore Michael Moradzadeh advised participants of the following:

  • We are suspending inspections and in-person events. As the length of these suspensions becomes clear, we will modify deadlines to take account of them.
  • We are postponing the March weigh-in event. This may make things complex, but again, we will adjust.
  • We are freezing certain “drop out or lose money” deadlines as of March 1.
  • We have cancelled the in-person Pacific Offshore Academy meetings and will be providing the content as webinars.
  • Board meetings are now done by online video.

“In some cases, we can substitute, modify, or waive certain requirements and still put on a race that is safe, fair and fun. As long as we can do that, we plan on holding the race!” See https://pacificcup.org.

The Pacific Cup invites entrants, potential participants and supporters to complete an online survey. “We want to know how your race preparations are coming, when would be most convenient for our online survey scheduling, and what you think of a proposed new ‘off-year’ (2021) race. Please visit the survey here.”

Pacific Northwest

West Vancouver YC has canceled the Southern Straits Classic, originally scheduled for April 10-12. The race was to be a qualifier for this summer’s Vic-Maui and next year’s Van Isle 360.

The Corinthian Yacht Club of Portland has canceled the Schooner Creek Boatworks Pacific NW Offshore (formerly the Oregon Offshore), on the books for May 7-10. This race is also an important qualifier for the Pacific Cup, the Vic-Maui and the Van Isle 360.

The Race to Alaska is on! Race Boss Daniel Evans is looking forward to firing the starting gun on June 8 in Port Townsend, WA. He defends the race thusly:

  • Find a better way to experience extreme social distancing.
  • It’s a needed family break from what has turned into a six-month summer vacation for our kids.
  • The races are custom-designed entertainment for the masses of forced and self-isolated victims worldwide.

SoCal

After being postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the 2020 Helly Hansen NOOD Regatta San Diego has been rescheduled from March 20-22 to September 4-6.

Caribbean

“As a result of national and global measures being taken to contain the COVID-19 pandemic and the priority being the health and safety of our citizens, competitors, spectators and volunteers, the decision to cancel Antigua Sailing Week is the only viable option,” writes Alison Sly-Adams, president of Antigua Sailing Week. The regatta had been scheduled for April 25-May 1.

Racing in last year's Sailing Week
Fleets preparing for the starting sequence during the 2019 edition of Antigua Sailing Week.
© 2020 Paul Wyeth

Europe

The falling dominoes even reach into the summer months now.

The 2020 Optimist World Championship was scheduled for July 1-11 in Riva del Garda, Italy. The organizers, with the support of IODA, have made the decision to postpone the event. The organizers will be discussing the postponement with their stakeholders and suppliers and report back to IODA as soon as possible with new dates. As a result of the postponement, the organizers have agreed to extend the 2nd Entry Stage Deadline to July 1.

Due to the current coronavirus pandemic, Kieler Woche, a huge regatta and festival in Germany, will not be held in June. It’s been postponed to September 5-13, 2020. The event draws competitors and crowds from around the world.

Back to the YRA, and the USCG

The Coast Guard has told the YRA that, “We are currently reviewing our permitted Marine Events against measures being put in place for COVID-19. Each potential Marine Event that plans on moving forward will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Some of the criteria we are looking at: Does the event comply with Health Orders? How would alterations to plans affect the proposed event? Is the event going to be held with equivalent safety to the originally planned event?

  1. Written confirmation/approval from your counties’ Public Health Department.
  2. An explanation of how Social Distancing will be achieved during your event.
  3. How many participants in the event are over the age of 65.
  4. Are any of the participants of the events residents of counties with “Shelter in Place” orders.
  5. Please describe any proposed changes to the event from the original application.
  6. If changes are made to the event on account of Health Orders, please explain how the event will meet equivalent safety measures to the originally permitted event.

“Please contact the YRA if you are planning on going on with a previously scheduled/permitted event.”

More News from the Coasties

Yesterday, the Coast Guard closed their 17 Regional Examination Centers (REC) and three Monitoring Units (MU) to the public until further notice. They suspended all REC/MU customer walk-in service and canceled all scheduled examinations and appointments. REC appointment calendars are closed. The National Maritime Center (NMC) will closely monitor the situation and restore these services as soon as possible.

In an effort to minimize customer service disruptions:

  • The Customer Service Center call center is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday. You may reach the call center at 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662) and [email protected]. Mariners are asked to not try to reschedule appointments until the NMC re-opens the appointment calendars. The NMC will provide notice when the calendars are available.

Read more of this update from the USCG here.

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