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Race Programs

Seattle Sailing Club’s Race Programs give members the opportunity to learn the rules of sailing and improve their overall sailing skills. From casual to competitive, beginner to advance, our racing programs provide educational and competitive opportunities to members across all levels of sailing experience. We see racing as a fun way to learn how to sail quickly and efficiently!

2024 Race Program Guide

2024 Racer Handbook


Spring & Summer Racing

Ballard Cup is 3-series of 5-races on Monday nights from April through August. Monday nights are structured yet still casual, and are a great place for beginner sailors to kick off their racing goals and experienced sailors to advance their skill level. Members have the opportunity to race on J/80s and J/105s.

Mission:
  • Fun-focused and fulfilling racing experience
  • Improve skills and expand knowledge
  • Build confidence regardless of each sailor’s level of experience
  • Meet and share experiences with other SSC members
  • Apply knowledge regularly and try out different positions on the boat
  • Do our best, sail fast, and achieve success!

Corinthian Yacht Club’s Wednesday night series include probable one-design starts, a professional race committee, and set-up, and good competition. Coached by Club race coaches, members competitively race on the J/105s and J/80s from April through September. Coaches instruct crew throughout the series to help improve skills and gain confidence on the racecourse.

Mission:
  • Help more experienced racers progress in a challenging environment
  • Focus on coaching and improvement
  • Pair racers with others wishing to expand skills and knowledge
  • Make connections and enjoy competition with racing teams outside of SSC

For decades, Seattle Sailing Club has put together a crew of experienced members and sent at least one J/105 team up to Northwest Race Week (now Anacortes Race Week,) the biggest series of the year. This is an opportunity for the most committed SSC racers to experience the day-in-day-out dynamic of a high-level racing series. With many J/105s in the SSC Fleet now, there are more and more opportunities for members to head up to Anacortes and get in on the fun!

In addition to the Spring and Summer Evening Series, SSC offers more advanced racers opportunities to participate in long-form weekend regattas throughout the year. This is an excellent next step for racers who have become comfortable with the shorter evening races and allows for long-term strategizing and planning in ways that shorter races do not. Some of these opportunities in the Spring and Summer include CYC Puget Sound Spring Regatta, SYC Tri-Island Series, CYC Center Sound Series, STYC’s Women at the Helm, and the Swiftsure International Yacht Race.

Fall & Winter Racing Programs

October to April

Why quit racing when the windiest season is just beginning? Here at Seattle Sailing Club, we like to have fun all year round and Fall and Winter bring the best winds!  Fun Races are the perfect first steps in getting a feel for racing, but also give current racers an opportunity to practice throughout the year. At least 1 Fun Race will be scheduled each month.

Mission:
  • Be safe and have fun in an educational, patient, and inviting environment
  • Encourage experienced racers to share their knowledge and skills with newly interested sailors
  • Try out new positions on the boat
  • Help racers build teams and start practicing for Summer Racing Programs
Leading up to the Spring Season, SSC runs weekend Intro to Racing Clinics with experienced coaches from the Seattle area.  The clinics are typically 4-6 hours, beginning with a classroom chalk talk and the rest of the time spent on the water. Chalk talks give racers the opportunity to focus on specific areas of racing, expand their knowledge, create new goals, and ask questions. After the chalk talk, most of the race clinicians join racers out on the water for hands-on coaching.

Mission:
  • Develop current skills through discussions with professional/experienced racers
  • Gain skills and confidence through on-the-water coaching
  • Hands-on experience and practice right after chalk talk

During this time, SSC also runs classroom-based Racing Rules of Sailing Seminars.  These are typically 1.5-3 hours, allowing beginning racers to take a crash course in the Racing Rules of Sailing guided by an instructor before they hit the water in the Spring and Summer racing series.

In addition to the Spring and Summer Evening Series, SSC offers more advanced racers opportunities to participate in long-form weekend regattas throughout the year. This is an excellent next step for racers who have become comfortable with the shorter evening races and allows for long-term strategizing and planning in ways that shorter races do not. Some of these opportunities in the off-season include CYC Edmonds Foulweather Bluff, CYC Puget Sound Sailing Championships, SYC Grand Prix, SBYC Snowbird, and the Round the County Regatta.

Racer’s Resources

Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing... by Dave Perry

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North U: Racing Trim

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The Sloop Tavern Yacht Club

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Intern. Sailing Federation's Racing Rules of Sailing

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Corinthian Yacht Club

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Spinnaker Handling Video

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NOAA Weather Forecast

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Deep Zoom Tides & Currents

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After my 101 class, meeting Mike to go race Merit 25’s. That gave me the bug to race and it never has changed…”   Steve K. -- SSC member 1997-2022
Racing J/24s with Scott last summer…and constantly winning!   John C. -- SSC member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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