Each January, the turn of the new year marks the month when you can finally break out your planners, call your racing buddies, and mark your vacation days for Southern California’s much-anticipated, offshore racing season. Kicking off the season in 2023 once again is the Islands Race, co-hosted by San Diego Yacht Club and Newport Harbor Yacht Club. On February 24, over 30 boats are expected to race, departing from Long Beach Harbor and making their way around Santa Catalina and San Clemente Islands before finishing in Point Loma. The total course measures approximately 142nm. What better way to spend a weekend in February than with a view of the Pacific for miles, a chilled ocean breeze, and well-earned bragging rights at the finish line?
Last month, I traveled to Miami to participate in the Olympic Development Program (ODP) with my crew Holland Vierling, and we were there among 13 of the best teams in the 29er class from all over the United States.
The first day at ODP was different from our training in San Diego, we had lots of Olympic class coaches and three different meetings were scheduled each day.
Members Molly O'Bryan Vandemoer and Julie Mitchell represented the US and SDYC at the Women's Match Racing World Championship in New Zealand in November. The event was hosted by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, the current home of the America’s Cup. The team consisted of Nicole Breault – skipper, Molly O'Bryan Vandemoer – tactician, Dana Riley – spinnaker trim, Karen Loutzenheiser – jib trim, and Julie Mitchell – bow.
The winner of the coveted perpetual “Shovel” award this year went to Team Annie (SDYC)! For those in the dark (I was), this is presented at the banquet on Saturday eve as a precursor to who will own it on Sunday after all races are finished. The was I see it now, win it all, or lose it all if you want to be remembered. Anyone in-between first and last will be lost in the shuffle.
The Resolute Cup is widely considered the most competitive amateur regatta in the country. The regatta features 24 of the country's best yacht clubs, sailing short course races in regatta provided and equalized Sonars and RS21’s. The Resolute Cup is held every other year by the New York Yacht Club with racing taking place on Narragansett Bay, RI.
The recent ILCA 4 Worlds in Vilamoura, Portugal, from August 13-20, 2022 was an amazing experience. It was my second world championship regatta as I also participated in ILCA Worlds in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland last year. The competition was just as strong this year with many talented sailors from 51 countries, including 272 boys and 152 girls who competed. The wind was really good on some days, but not so much on others.