SLOOP TAVERN YACHT CLUB

***** May 13, 2021

We are pleased to announce that STYC and CYC will jointly be putting on a long distance overnight race that provides a challenging and fun weekend event for sailors.  The Round the Sound race is on Memorial Day Weekend, May 28 & 29,  starting off of Shilshole, going around Vashon Island then to Port Townsend before rounding Gedney Island off of Everett and returning to Shilshole.  There are divisions for ORC, PHRF-NW and STYC club ratings.  This is an alternative to this year’s cancellation of Swiftsure and also is in the spirit of the proposed double-handed Olympic event.  It is for both short-handed and fully crewed boats.  STYC voting members can participate for free although some of the requirements to be in the race may have some added costs because there are increased safety requirements beyond the usual Sloop races.  Associate members costs to enter are $50.  The race will have staggered starts on Saturday morning and the time limit is midnight on Sunday.  There are two gates that have shorter time limits that may come into play for slower boats and lighter conditions.  Please see the tentative NOR and sign up at  CYCseattle.org.  

***** May 5, 2021

Congratulations to Christina and Justin Wolfe on the J/111 Raku from Orcas Island YC for convincingly winning our STYC Race to the Straits for 2021. Second place was the Melges 24, Distraction with Carol and Tom Greetham from STYC. Third place went to the J/27, 63 with Dan Falk and crew from CYC who nipped their sistership Wizard with Leo Morales and crew from STYC. Of special note, the top two boats were Jack and Jill crews as well. 

We couldn't do the traditional course to Port Townsend and back over the weekend due the Covid constraints on gatherings, but the traditional course will be back next year as we have reservations for the NW Maritime Center for May 8, 2022.  Thanks to all 67 boats who registered and participated in this year’s modified Race to the Straits!

Welcome to spring time racing!   In case you missed our Introduction to Keelboat Racing 101 talk, you can still catch the recording  Youtube: STYC Keelboat Racing 101!   

Good news!  The state of Washington is entering phase 3 of the COVID-19 Road to Recovery plan on Monday the 22nd of March.  As a result we have decided to remove the 5 crew restriction for our racing starting with the Carol Pearl Blakely Rock Benefit Race and Ballard Cup 1.  The NOR for those races have been changed to reflect the new policies and we will update the other NORs soon.

We would like to remind everyone participating in our races that sailboat racing is voluntary and is done at your own risk. Compliance with Federal, State, and Local rules and regulations is required by the club and enforcement is the responsibility of the skipper. In particular, skippers are responsible for ensuring everyone in their crew complies with all guidelines, rules, and regulations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while participating in STYC races.    

Skippers are required to keep a complete and accurate record of their crew and inform them in the event of any possible exposure to COVID-19 by other crew members. 

Further, please be especially careful of COVID-19 protocols while on the dock and using the facilities at the marina.   This includes wearing masks when on the docks, when sitting on the rail, or whenever you are unable to maintain sufficient physical distance. We also strongly discourage after-race gatherings on boats or docks at this time.

Please note, these updated policies appear in the new NORs as “Special COVID ..” statements.  These are a bit different than the usual rules in a NOR to allow for the constantly changing landscape of COVID regulations and recommendations.  These statements reflect the new policy stated above.  

Thanks for helping to keep sailing as safe as possible for all, while enjoying the freedom of being out on the water.   

Al Hughes and Sara Billey

STYC Race Co-Chairs