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On September 15, 2022, when handicap fleets line up to compete in the Rolex Big Boat Series, they will be racing under rating rules established by the Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) rather than the Offshore Rating Rule (ORR). The four-day regatta, hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, California, has been racing under ORR since 2014; now in 2022, the handicap divisions will be split according to ORC rules and ORC certificates will be required to compete.

The final day of the 2021 Rolex Big Boat Series, hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club, featured long courses for all eight divisions, sending boats into every corner of San Francisco Bay. Clear skies, a steady westerly and the vagaries of current provided plenty of opportunities to mix things up as sailors vied for podium positions, perpetual trophies and—for three classes—Rolex Submariner Date watches.

After a Friday night Mount Gay Lawn Party, Saturday morning seems to be a fortuitous time to raise the AP flag, signaling a delay to the start of racing on day three of Rolex Big Boat Series at St. Francis Yacht Club. After two days of 15-20 knots that had sailors raving about the perfect and predictable wind of San Francisco Bay, day three dawned with an uncharacteristic light southerly. Fortunately, the wind filled by 1300 for starts in the J/105, J/88, J/70, ORR divisions and Express 37s. The Classics started on time, also at 1300, and raced a triangular course in the center of the bay.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA—San Francisco Bay served up another round of perfect racing conditions for sailors on the second day of Rolex Big Boat Series at St. Francis Yacht Club. Winds were in the steady teens for the 1100 start of Race 3 for all eight divisions, and held around 20 knots all afternoon, making for quick, dramatic runs for the finish line.

The fog was hanging low but energy was running high at the start of the first day of racing at the 2021 Rolex Big Boat Series. Fortunately, by day’s end the westerlies characteristic of San Francisco Bay were blowing strong and steady through the Golden Gate, powering the 79 competitors to the finish line and leaving sailors raving about “perfect conditions” on the water. The three ORR fleets and the Express 37s raced on the Treasure Island Course, while the North Course was dedicated to J/105s, J/88s and J/70s. All classes finished their second races off the Race Deck, directly in front of the St. Francis Yacht Club, host to this four-day regatta.

With one week to go until boats jostle for position on the starting line, organizers of the 2021 Rolex Big Boat Series are prepared to safely accommodate the hundreds of skippers, crews and spectators who attend this legendary event, now in its 56th edition. Racing is set to commence on Thursday, September 16, and boats are already docking at St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, California, to begin final preparations for the most competitive regatta on the West Coast.