Regattas 101 - The basics of the Olympic sport of Yacht Racing

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