Well, we have just returned from Puget Sound Sailing Championship and I remembered Steve asked me to write about the racing scene in Seattle. As this is the end of the racing season for most of the clubs in the Seattle area, it is the best time to plan for next years events.
The finish of the season for the more active racing boats is at Grand Prix the first week of November [an invitation only event, to be invited you have to win something]. After that race, the point accumulation starts anew in December with our own Southern Sound Series.
If you have thought of going north to larger fleets, the Southern Sound Series is the place to start. Those four races are the natural focus for racers starting in quests for challenges and competition.
If you have a desire for more racing, I'd suggest several center Sound events. CYC Seattle and Seattle Yacht Club hold some of the finest sailing regattas in our area. Their race committees and organizers are very professional in their endeavors and run first class races. Many trophies from events sponsored by these clubs line mantles, walls, and boxes of Olympia racers.
Our favorite regattas on Gadzooks are PSSC and PSSR (Puget Sound Spring Regatta). Both are two day events, held in October and April, respectively. Sponsored by CYC, at Shilshole, these events include up to seven races over a Saturday and Sunday. The fleets that are either one design or have approximately a 12 second spread between the fast and slow boats. Starting sequences are reduced to a three minute periods. There is always a post race bash at the floating CYC clubhouse.
Another compliment to the Southern Sound Series is the Center Sound Series. Run in March on the first, second and fourth Saturdays, this event wraps around the last Southern Sound Seties Race (the Islands Race GHYC, third Saturday) providing a fun filled month of racing. Blakely Rocks, Possesion Point, and Pulley Point are the three races. They give you a greater understanding of the center Puget Sound and provide a high degree of competition.
There are other distance races in the area such as SYC's Tri Island Series which includes both a long and short course. Those races include Protection Island/Point Liplip, Smith Island/Point No Point, and Vashon Island/Point Robinson.
Stars and Bars another around the buoy race event is held in September with two races Saturday and one distance race Sunday.
There are many more events in the center Sound. Tacoma Area Race Council has many events as well. These can provide fun and competitive challenges to novice and seasoned racers. If you are just starting, most of our seasoned Members love to talk sailing and can help you to understand these events, courses, and local currents.
Preparation required is somewhat elevated from our local racing. They do not use the experimental rules [until May when they are no longer experimental]. Additionally, all these events require you to be a member in good standing of a PIYA Club [SSSS], be a current PHRF member [as do our HP, A, & B Fleets, PHRF dues are due], comply with the stated Category requirements for each race. Most of the mentioned events are Category III just like the Southern Sound Series [and our Island Series]. Protection Island and Smith Island require a Category I level, the same as Swiftsure.
Race fees generally range from $35 to $60 dollars with the series race fees for Center Sound at $90. Grand Prix is the most expensive single weekend regatta at $75. Some of the clubs give you a break on races fees if you belong to US Sailing.
Moorage and boat deliveries are best worked out with your crews' help. The logistics of getting the boat there and back can be one of the toughest hurtles to overcome. The second is getting crew to drive north early in the morning, but once there and touched by the comradely and competitive spirit they will want to return.
A suggested item is a working autohelm, sure you can do these trips without one, but once you remain in the hatch with a heater you will never go back. It is the only way to deliver a boat in the colder winter months.
For all delivers, I usually run one of several established routes, depending on positive or negative current. I'll be happy to share my knowledge of back eddies to cheat a negative flow anywhere along the course from Olympia to Seattle and back again.
I hope more of our racers make the journey north, it is great to take their hardware home. You can reach us at 104540,1553@compuserve.com.Gary Martin, Gadzooks!!