By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

Sailing Regattas 101

By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

This presentation is meant to provide a brief overview for sailing newbies who may be

interested in learning more about regattas.

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By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

Regattas: The Basics

• A regatta (yacht race) can be a single boat race or a series of boat races

• Regattas are highly organized events and typically very structured

• A regatta typically includes social activities in addition to the race

• A regatta is usually named for the town or place where the race occurs

By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

Types of Yacht Races

• Harbor or buoy races: Take place in protected waters and typically last up to a few hours

• Different types of boats are used for buoy races

• Inshore racing: Not in protected waters but takes place within sight of land

• Offshore racing: Held over long distances and in open water

By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

Key Sailing Regulations

• A yacht using sails as motive power on port tack gives way to one on starboard tack

• The more maneuverable vessel gives way to the less maneuverable vessel. Smaller vessels need to stay away from larger vessels

• If a collision is about to happen, both vessels must avoid each other even if one vessel would usually take no action

By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

Classes and Ratings

• Many factors affect how fast a boat can go, including the size of the sail, its length, and the weight and shape of its hull

• While racing, all boats are required to be of the same design which is called one-design, or a handicapping system is used

• A handicapping system is set up by specifying a normal time for the boat

• The boat is timed during its race, and the time is then adjusted based on the handicap

By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

Regatta Organizers

• Regattas can be organized by yacht clubs, classes, or sailing associations

• Organizers are typically in charge of promotion, finding sponsors, regatta registration, and running the actual race

• There are plenty of online event planning websites for regattas to ease the burden of running races

• Compete-At.com provides a tailored solution for online regatta management http://www.compete-at.com/sailing/index.html

By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

Famous Regattas

• America’s Cup

• Transpacific Ocean Race

• National Offshore One Design

• Volvo Ocean Race

• Vendee Globe

• Sydney to Hobart Race

• Rolex Farr 40 North American Championship

• Jaguar Cup Series

• New Zealand Match Racing Championships

By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

Sailing in the Olympics

• Sailing was introduced into the Olympics in 1900

• It was originally for men only

• It is a summer Olympic sport

• A Sailboard class for Windsurfers was introduced in the 1984 Summer Olympics

By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

Sailing Terminology

• Sailing uses typical nautical terms:

• Starboard means right

• Port means left

• Forward or fore means front

• Aft means rearward

• Rope is the term used for raw material

• A line is a rope used for a particular purpose on a vessel

By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

Online Resources for Regattas

• http://www.sailing-news.net/

• http://www.sailinganarchy.com

• http://www.sailing.org/

• http://www.compete-at-sailing.com

• http://www.asa.com/

• http://www.americascup.com/

• http://www.ussailing.org/

• http://twitter.com/SailingScoop

By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

Regatta Online Registration

• Many regattas and yacht clubs use an online registration solution to keep track of all the registrants, boat information, requirement forms and crew information

• Compete-At has a tailored, turn-key platform for sailing: http://www.compete-at.com/sailing/index.html

By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

Content Credits

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yacht_racing

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regatta

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sailing_at_the_Summer_Olympics

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