WCSC

Around Andersonville Island

Alone (or not) 2016

          Welcome to the 2016 edition of the ‘Around the Island’ race. With the success of the recent Dam Distance Race and the hearty participation in the newly-revamped Cruising Fleet, the organizers of this race are hopeful of a large and diverse fleet. As with the ‘Dam Race’, we hope to appeal to racers and skippers who don’t regularly race in the WCSC Centerboard and Keelboat Fleets.

The race organizers are attempting to ‘soften’ traditional sailboat racing so that the novice and non racer can enjoy competition without the more-rigorous aspects of traditional windward/leeward buoy racing. The major difference is the start. It is our belief that the start of a sailboat race is the cause of greatest anxiety for the novice/non racer. The Around Andersonville Island Alone (or not) race is going to use what is called a pursuit start. Slower boats will start sooner than faster boats. How much sooner is determined by the boat’s rating. RC will distribute a table that tells each boat at what time they can start. In this manner, the starting line shouldn’t be crowded with the entire fleet at the start, as there actually are many starts. In fact, other than two boats having the same rating, each boat will have her own starting time.

            There are two additional perks with a pursuit start race. At the end of their race, boats are scored in the order of their finish. If you cross the finish line ahead of another boat, you beat her! You don’t have to wait till after the race is over for RC to calculate the corrected times. The other perk of the pursuit start race is that the fleet will likely finish the race at near the same time. This allows everyone to get back to the Club for the most important aspect of sailboat racing: the post-race party. A beverage (or two) enhances the re telling of antics witnessed on the race course.

We are making a point of having a post-race gathering for this event. A day of racing is fun, but not near as fun as a day of racing followed by the camaraderie of the racers having drinks and food. To that end, the Club is providing finger food and you are providing your own beverages (Booze).

          This year the fleet will be divided into the following classes: Alone (singlehanded) Monohull, Crewed Monohull, Alone (singlehanded) Multihull, and Crewed Multihull. As the number and type of entrants permit, each of these classes may be divided into multiple divisions. Not-so-valuable prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in each division.

          Please visit the event Information Page for more documents that further describe the event. We hope to see you there. We welcome questions, comments, or conversation.

Event Organizers:

Paul Harder     Email   SailHarder@aol.com               home   864-225-6941

Rick Fontenot  Email   cowardlylion@charter.net        cell      334-332-2025