The Women’s Winter Invitational Regatta has grown to be a convivial and competitive event for all involved. This year over 40 invitations were requested, with 24 teams from all over America, Canada, and Mexico competing. To earn the coveted SDYC spot, our team won the qualifier in January against 9 teams in tricky light conditions with very strong current. Our team consisted of Rebecca McElvain as skipper, with Julie Mitchell on main and tactics, and Erika Barth on jib and bow.
During the Women’s Winter Invitational Regatta, the racing consisted of typical La Playa conditions, with shifty, medium breeze, and very short racecourses, bookended with bright pink flamingo marks. The format had 3 flights of 4 boats each racing, with starts happening every few minutes. This lead to boats starting, finishing, and sailing downwind all at the same time. So, you not only had to focus on your race, but the other 2 races.
After 75 races in the round robin, Team SDYC was tied with Corinthian Yacht Club for 6th place, fortunately we won that tie breaker and moved into Gold fleet for the finals.
Competition in Gold fleet was tough, with every sailor capable of winning. With the best 6 boats on the line, the starts were significantly more aggressive. The last start unfortunately occurred at the same time as the Silver fleet was sailing downwind directly through our start, causing a few fouls and numerous boats to be over early. We dipped below the start line after avoiding a downwind boat, but apparently not enough to clear us, so we were called over, costing us third place. Team SDYC finished 6th overall, and very happy with our placing.
Derby White of California Yacht Club won, followed by Simone Staff of Scuttlebutt Sailing Club in second, and Marly Isler representing New York Yacht Club in third place.
The WWIR has grown to be one of SDYC’s premier events, through the fantastic job of the race committee running 81 races and the regatta organizers hosting three fun evening events, breakfast, lunch, and yoga. All teams commented on how the balance between competition and fun was perfect!
Thank you to Challenge Committee for supporting our team and making racing opportunities available to all SDYC members.