Short Sightings — A Gust of Sailing News
Here’s a gust of news rippling across the California sailing waters. There are opportunities to sail, race, walk the docks, and connect to sailing the Bay with the mainsheet clamped hard in your teeth.
Transpac 2025 Entries Are Now Open!
Entries are now open for the 2025 edition of the Los Angeles to Honolulu Transpacific Yacht Race. Known as the Transpac and held biennially since 1906, this classic 2,225-mile ocean race is a bucket-list event for many sailors and skippers, several of whom have signaled their commitment by registering early.
The Master Mariners Wooden Boat Show — One Day Only, on Sunday
The Master Mariners Wooden Boat show is running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Sunday at the Corinthian Yacht Club. It’s the one day a year you can step aboard some of the Bay Area’s best classic wooden boats, including the schooner Brigadoon, which is celebrating its 100th birthday this year. See the poster on the Summer Sailstice site here.
US Sailing Has Opened Nominations for the 2024 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year
Between June 18 and December 18, US Sailing is seeking nominees who are United States citizens and have demonstrated on-the-water excellence at national and international events, bringing global recognition to sailing in the United States in the calendar year.
Following closure of the nomination period, US Sailing’s Yachtsman and Yachtswoman nominating committee, approved by the board of directors, will select three finalists for both the Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Award based on the merits of the nominees.
Is anyone thinking they should nominate Cole Brauer for Yachtswoman of the Year so she doesn’t get missed?
To nominate for Yachtsman of the Year, click HERE
To nominate for Yachtswoman of the Year, click HERE
It’s Summer Sailstice Weekend
If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to post your sailing plans on the Summer Sailstice map. There are boats signed up from the South Pacific, across the US and over to Europe. And, of course, lots happening on the Bay. It looks like the ideal weekend to #raiseyoursails to celebrate sailing with the rest of the world.
Speaking of Summer Sailstice Weekend — SailGP Hits New York; Brazil Joins the League for 2025
As SailGP’s Season 4 continues this weekend in New York, New Zealand holds the lead with 92 points, with Australia and Spain in second and third place respectively. USA is in eighth place with 52 points. This is the 12th of 13 events making up this year’s SailGP race calendar. Season 5, which begins in November, will see the introduction of SailGP Team Brazil as the 11th team on the global circuit.
Celebrating the announcement, SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coutts said, “Brazil has achieved an incredible history of success in Olympic sailing and it’s fitting they are now entering the professional ranks of SailGP — competing against the best in the world. This opens up a new and very significant market for SailGP and we’re incredibly excited to further develop Brazil’s passionate fan base and strengthen our connection to the region.”
St. Francis Yacht Club Heavy Weather Opti Regatta
The annual Opti Heavy Weather Regatta is happening this weekend on the Cityfront. It’s a rip-roaring good time for Opti sailors who travel from far and wide to test their skills in the Bay’s summer winds. You’ll see them on the Cityfront when you’re out sailing this weekend. Thanks to Chris Ray for sending some shots of the sailing on Friday.
It looks like fun. You’ll be amazed they can do it in the small boats, as you battle the Cityfront reefed down aboard your offshore keelboat.
You can see the results on Sunday here.
Have a great weekend of sailing!