Dinghy Races - Series 1
This is a fun family friendly racing series for Vanguard 15s, Lasers and Optis with all ages and abilities welcome. Races are evenings starting at 6.00pm with food and drinks afterwards on the clubhouse deck. Crew is often needed so if you just show up, every effort will be made to get you on a boat.
Coordinator: Barbara Belt & Alain Huggler
Email: dinghyracing@portmadisonyc.org
Don't miss the PMYC Dinghy Racing this season!
What do we want to do? All-ages dinghy racing.
Build on Jr YC winter racing team practice successes – continue to learn and improve
Keep high school and adult racers engaged and learning (and teaching)
When is it happening?
Tuesday evenings May 24 through August 31 (16 weeks)
Split into 2 series of 8 evenings each
May 24 through July 5
July 12 through August 30
September and later races can continue if we’re having fun, not part of scored series
First start 6 PM; leave the dock in time to get out to Port Madison Bay for the start.
What else is happening on Tuesday evenings?
Starting July 5, there will be Jr Race Team coaching from 5 to 6 PM. They'll leave the dock in time for on-the-water practice to start at 5 PM.
Who’s going to run the races?
Everybody who races should plan to be available to spend one evening per series as part of the race committee. Other volunteers gleefully welcomed! Washington Boater Card requirements apply for drivers. If you don’t have one, you’ll be with someone who has a card. We will set up a Sign-Up Genius sheet so people can pick their times starting May 31 (May 24 will be arranged by phone). Race committee members will be scored in first place (tied with actual first place). No, you can’t be race committee every night just to win the series.
2 motor boats needed
Jr YC RIB for coaching and safety boat (1+ person; Jr YC coaches)
Whaler or Howard for start/finish and mark set boat (2+ people; other racers and volunteers)
What’s the racing format?
Separate starts for
V-15s and other boats with more than 1 sail.
Lasers, Europe, Aero, and other adult size boats with 1 sail.
Optis if present
3-minute starts for most boats. Laser 4.7s will get a 1-minute head start over the rest of the single-sail adult size boats.
Short races, target duration about 10 to 15 minutes.
This is practice racing, so don’t get bent out of shape about getting beat by someone with a bigger sail or less crew weight.
Aim to finish racing in time for Jr Race Team to be back at the dock by 7:30, latest. If it’s a fun evening with good breeze, the rest of the group can keep sailing, but race scoring will stop when the Jr Race Team goes in.
How will we communicate changes and updates?
Emails to the PMYC Dinghy Google Group, PMYC group emails, or text messages to your phone.
I want to join the group - what's next?
Come on down to the club on Tuesday, May 24, about 5 PM. Meet on the dock near the dinghy floats.
Need a dinghy? Not part of the Jr Race Team? Reserve the yellow-cover club V-15.
Need a skipper or a crew? Show up with your sailing clothes and PFD and we'll find a way to get you on the water.
Contact dinghyracing@portmadisonyc.org for more information.
