July, our favorite month! We get nice long evenings, fireworks, two races per night and life is sweet! SYSCO’s awesome Summer series is knocked out and their Twilight series will start soon, along with several other fun races and regattas. Check them out; but better yet, join us!
Tuesdays/Thursdays: Starting July 18th, SYSCO Twilight series
Fridays: Beer can races, Warning signal 1830 hrs
July 11 and 13: SYSCO Shorthanded Soaker (SSS)
This exciting new format will challenge you to race shorthanded, while dodging incoming water cannon fire.
SYSCO’s usual Tuesday night fleets will race Tuesday July 11, and the usual Thursday night fleets will race Thursday July 13, during Whidbey Island Race Week’s bye week. All boats under 24 feet LOA will race single-anded. All boats between 24 to 30 feet will race double-handed. All boats over 30 feet will race triple-handed. That’s the short-handed part.
The “Soaker” part is that boats are allowed to have additional crew on board, who cannot hand, reef or steer, but who will be allowed, nay, encouraged, to fire soakers and water cannons at other boats in their fleet. The tactical implications are intriguing. Imagine starboard tack boat crossing a port tacker. Would crossing the enemy bow open you up to a devastating stern rake? Should you slam dunk and fire a full starboard broadside? The decision is yours, Captain.
Register for the SSS on OCSA Event Notice Board. Registration before the 48-hour deadline is free; after that late fees apply. Don’t delay!
July 28-30: Columbia Gorge One-Design (CGOD) Regatta
The CGRA team is looking for volunteers to join us. This will be the Weta Trimaran National Championship and the Viper 640 Pacific Coast Championship and will also be host to 505, Laser and Fireball classes. This event is an action-packed 3 days on two courses and is coming to the Gorge. Former locals Kim & Eric Rimkus will be the Principle Race Officers (PRO) on the East Course, and the amazing Charlie Rathkopf from Seattle will be the PRO for the West Course. We’ll be welcoming top sailors from around the country to this prestigious regatta, and we’re gearing up to deliver another memorable weekend of sailing and socializing in the world’s greatest sailing venue.
We need lots of helpers on the water and off, for race committee, chase boat crew, office support, traffic control, and of course keeping the coolers fully stocked. Sunshine, sailboats, stunning scenery, warm hospitality and cold beverages are guaranteed – can you think of a better way to spend your weekend?
Commute or camp! If you can make it for all three days, great. If you can only make one or two, that’s good too Every little bit helps. To sign up, reply to: Eric@GladiatorSailing.com (If you can’t make any, please pass the word to your friends!).
July 29: Midnight Madness
For those new to longer distance races, overnight racing, and sailing in shifts, CYC is experimenting with the Midnight Madness race that will include those elements without the challenge of the ocean, the logistics of point-to-point races, or the more stringent safety requirements ocean racing brings. Of course it’s open to experienced ocean racers too. This twelve hour Le Mans style race will be held between the 1-5 bridge and may extend as far up river as the East dock of Government Island, marked by a race buoy. Is it crazy? Yes, that’s why it’s called Midnight Madness!
As always, further details are found on the OCSA Event Notice Board or in your printed race book.
Cheers, and enjoy a Happy (and safe) 4th of July!
Nicole Sirois
2017 OCSA Commodore
OCSA Membership
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7304 Northeast Martin Luther King Blvd Portland, OR
(503) 282-4282
West Marine
1176 North Hayden Island Drive Portland, OR
(503) 289-9822
