Annapolis Yacht Club Updates Annual Regatta

ANNAPOLIS, MD–Organizers have implemented several important steps designed to increase participation in the Annapolis Yacht Club Annual Regatta, being held June 11 on the Chesapeake Bay, according to a news release.

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“Because the Annual Regatta has so much history and tradition, it is important that we do everything possible to maintain its prominence on the local sailing calendar,” Craig Saunders, one of the regatta’s event chairs, said. “We’re hoping a few cosmetic changes and the addition of new classes, will bolster the number of entries and make the regatta more enjoyable for all the sailors involved.”

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Among the alterations to the AYC Annual Regatta are the introduction of cruising classes, the revival of PHRF classes, condensing competition to one day for all boats and celebrating at an awards party upon conclusion of racing.

Annapolis Yacht Club had previously announced the addition of Cruising Spinnaker, Cruising Non-Spinnaker, Short-handed Spinnaker and Short-handed Non-Spinnaker for all its events. Those four classes will first be offered starts for the AYC 80th Annual Regatta, which will feature distance courses around government marks for all handicap entries.

“We are seeking to introduce racing to the cruising sailor so we need to make sure things are not too complicated,” principal race officer Mark Murphy said. “This is one big experiment and we need to be flexible and responsive to the sailors.”

Another significant change involves reducing the regatta to one day in order to promote camaraderie and sense of unity among the entire fleet, organizers said.

A key reason for having all classes compete on Saturday involves a post-regatta prize-giving party that is new this year. In years past, the AYC Annual Regatta awards were handed out at a later date. Now all the sailors will gather for a party at the Annapolis Yacht Club Sailing Center for food, drinks and a trophy presentation.

“We think a one-day event is critical for the cruiser. We discussed this issue at length among the committee, and were in agreement that a known course going out and a good party afterward is a winning combination,” chairman of the Annapolis Yacht Club’s newly-created Sailing Committee Paul Parks said.

One really important point the co-chairs are attempting to get across is that you do not need to be an Annapolis Yacht Club member to enter the Annual Regatta.

Notice of Race and other important documents for the AYC Annual Regatta are posted and provide complete details about classes offered, costs and how to register.