It turned into the perfect time to do a beta test. It didn't seem fair to have the Grand Prix for such a small number of official qualifiers. Then, the world changed and many of our qualifying events were cancelled in 2021. I remember having discussions about the possibility of it becoming an "open registration" before COVID. Honestly, it's quite often the same few boats that get 1st-3rd. I was the person keeping track of who won 1st-3rd in the events, and it seemed to limit us. Interestingly, the move to open registration was on our mind even before the pandemic. What was the reason for this, and how is it working out so far? I heard that the regatta has moved from an invitational format to open registration. It was quite a process and people really enjoyed the challenge of qualifying.Īnnapurna works their upwind game at the Seattle Yacht Club's annual Grand Prix Regatta - photo © Jan Anderson (/) Then, we would have to research and find addresses so the invitation could be mailed. A person from the club kept meticulous records of who won 1st-3rd in the various classes at the long list of events. We are in the 46th edition and we skipped the 2020 Covid edition.įor the longest time, it was considered an invitational and there was a specific list of events that could qualify a boat for an invitation. The Grand Prix began almost fifty years ago. I’ve been fortunate enough to have competed in several editions of this fall classic, and I checked in with Regan Edwards, regatta chair of the Seattle Yacht Club’s 2023 Grand Prix, to learn more about this year’s regatta.Ĭan you please tell us a bit about the SYC’s Grand Prix, its history, and its culture? When did the event begin, and what kinds of sailors does it tend to attract? Racing is set to unfurl on the waters of Puget Sound, north of Alki Point and south of Point Wells, and the starting area is expected to be located near Shilshole Bay or the area north of Meadow Point. Unlike previous editions of this regatta, which previously functioned as an invitational event, the 2023 regatta is open to any boat that meets the abovementioned criteria and that completes the registration process. And, third, if you’re into racing fast sailboats in a regatta setting, the Seattle Yacht Club’s annual Grand Prix regatta offers some of the area’s best racing.Īccording to the regatta’s NOR, the SYC’s 2023 Grand Prix is open to boats with valid ORC or PHRF-NW certificates, multihulls, and One Design keelboats that measure at least 24’, stem to stern, and that field at least five boats. Second, we have some of the world’s best espresso (trust me, this helps with the grey, dark days). There are a few things you can (more or less) count on in the Pacific Northwest.
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