Pandemic Adjustments Reappear on the Racing Scene
After a relatively stable couple of months, the most recent health orders in the state of California and most Bay Area counties have race committees once again scrambling to adjust to the ongoing pandemic.
On December 5, Governor Gavin Newsom issued new, more restrictive health orders in response to the biggest surge of COVID-19 hospitalizations since the pandemic began. Race committees running midwinter races have reacted in various ways. Berkeley Yacht Club, which has midwinter races scheduled for this Saturday and Sunday, December 12-13, is (at this point anyway) planning to proceed. RC person extraordinaire Bobbi Tosse alerted BYC’s fleets via Jibeset. “1.) The December 12 & 13 races will occur. 2.) The Signal boat will have much fewer people aboard … We will do our best. Be kind. 3.) Since some entrants might not be able to attend due to stricter gathering restrictions, there is an Amendment to the SI’s changing each series allowing one throwout race. 4.) BYC will not be open.” BYC’s Jibeset page also contains the meat of the health order.
Meanwhile, the RegattaPRO Winter One Design races scheduled for Saturday, December 12, have been postponed. But organizers have added a new race date, March 13.
Yesterday, Island YC’s race committee canceled their Island Days race planned for the Estuary this Sunday, December 13. “Due to the COVID-related shelter-in-place restrictions put in place for Alameda County, we must unfortunately cancel the Island Days Race previously scheduled for this Sunday (12/13). Island Days Races scheduled in the New Year on 1/20, 2/14, and 3/14 will tentatively remain on the race schedule.”
If you know of any other schedule changes due to the latest orders, please ping us via email.