News

New Website & Hotel Sponsor, Plus Early Entry Ends Soon for Rolex Big Boat Series hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club

Register now and make your travel plans to compete at one of the top venues in the world.

REGATTA WEBSITE REDESIGNED IN HONOR OF 60TH

For six decades, Rolex Big Boat Series has been at the forefront of the latest and greatest in competitive yachting. Balancing tradition with progress, this legendary West Coast regatta continues to embrace a spirit of evolution, showcasing the latest in fleet technology and race management.

In honor of our 60th anniversary, Rolex Big Boat Series is thrilled to launch a new website. With a focus on simplicity and sophistication, this redesigned platform offers streamlined navigation and a contemporary aesthetic, ensuring a seamless experience for both participants and spectators.

Whether you’re registering for the 2024 edition of Rolex Big Boat Series, catching up on the latest news, exploring photos from past regattas, purchasing event merchandise, or joining our mailing list for exclusive updates, the new site makes it easier to participate in and enjoy all things Rolex Big Boat Series.

EXPLORE THE NEW SITE

 


INFINITY HOTEL JOINS AS SPONSOR, OFFERS DISCOUNT FOR RBBS COMPETITORS

St. Francis Yacht Club is pleased to announce that Infinity Hotel has partnered with Rolex Big Boat Series as an official sponsor and is offering discounted rates for competitors.

This boutique hotel, located in the city’s Marina District and part of the Hilton’s Tapestry Collection, features a variety of room options outfitted with modern décor, rooftop decks for relaxing and taking in views of the bay, off street parking and a ground level café. 

“For sailors traveling to San Francisco to compete, this is an ideal location for housing your crew. It’s within easy walking distance of the docks, the club and all the regatta socials and activities, and will provide our sailors a relaxing setting to recoup after a long day on the water,” said Ken Glidewell, Vice Chair of Rolex Big Boat Series. “It can be costly to book adequate accommodations for the large crews that often travel to compete on the big boats, so we’re pleased to form this partnership with Infinity Hotel. We encourage all skippers to take advantage of this great discount.”

BOOK NOW

 


EARLY ENTRY DISCOUNT ENDS MAY 15

Sign up now to receive the most advantageous rate on registration. Boats that register before May 15 and pay the entry fee in full will receive a 5% discount. Boats that complete the online entry form and pay in full by 2100 on July 31, 2024, will avoid a late entry fee of $275 that goes into effect until registration closes on September 1.

“There’s really no reason to delay. Most boats know early on that they’re coming here in September and spend the entire season practicing and planning to compete at the highest level. I've really enjoyed traveling to Southern California to race in recent years and I'm looking forward to seeing that SoCal competition on San Francisco Bay,” said Dave MacEwen, St. Francis Yacht Club’s Executive Race Committee Chair, who has podiumed in the past and has already registered his Rogers 46 Lucky Duck. “Preparing early is how you reap rewards at Rolex Big Boat Series."

The following fleets are invited to compete in this year’s Rolex Big Boat Series:

  • One-design boats of the J/88, J/105, Cape 31, Express 37 and Melges 24 classes. Other classes with a minimum number of boats can be considered with application to the Organizing Authority.
  • ORC Monohulls with a LOA ≥ 30’. Boats with an APH of 500 or lower are required to have an ORC International Certificate. Boats with an APH higher than 500 may compete using either an ORC International Certificate or ORC Club Certificate.
  • Classic boats built prior to 1955 with a LOA ≥ 48’and a current ORRez rating certificate.
  • Multihull boats with a valid 2024 OMR certificate issued by the Bay Area Multihull Association with a rating of between 0.89 and 1.22. Trapezes are not permitted.

 

REGISTER NOW

 

The event will also serve as the 2024 ORC West Coast Championship, with the top three positions in each ORC Class awarded titles and trophies. 

Additionally, entries are invited to compete for the Storm Trysail Team Trophy, to be presented to the top-scoring three-boat team from the same yacht club and comprised of one ORC boat, one one-design boat and one boat from any other class. 

This year marks the 60th edition of Rolex Big Boat Series and organizers will be showcasing its rich history and celebrating the many legendary yachts, crews and skippers who have participated since 1964. 


NEW MERCHANDISE PARTNER FOR ROLEX BIG BOAT SERIES

Regatta Gear has partnered with Rolex Big Boat Series to offer official merchandise for sale. Skippers seeking customized gear for their crew and boats can shop now.

SHOP NOW

 


ABOUT ST. FRANCIS YACHT CLUB

St. Francis Yacht Club is one of the most esteemed yacht clubs in the world, steeped in tradition and known for innovation. Founded in 1927 with a mission to serve as the inspirational center of boating activities regionally and a leader of yachting internationally, StFYC has hosted many of the most prestigious national and world championships in sailing. With over 40 regattas on its calendar annually, StFYC is widely regarded as having one of the top racing and race management programs in the country. In addition to a worldwide reputation for on-water excellence, StFYC’s clubhouse features outstanding dining, spacious guest docks and panoramic vistas of San Francisco Bay. Each year, StFYC rolls out the red carpet for sailors visiting to compete in Rolex Big Boat Series. 

For more information, please visit St. Francis Yacht Club.

ABOUT ROLEX
An unrivalled reputation for quality and expertise

Rolex is an integrated and independent Swiss watch manufacture. Headquartered in Geneva, the brand is recognized the world over for its expertise and the quality of its products – symbols of excellence, elegance and prestige. The movements of its Oyster Perpetual and Perpetual watches are certified by COSC, then tested in-house for their precision, performance and reliability. The Superlative Chronometer certification, symbolized by the green seal, confirms that each watch has successfully undergone tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories according to its own criteria. These are periodically validated by an independent external organization

The word ‘Perpetual’ is inscribed on every Rolex Oyster watch. But more than just a word on a dial, it is a philosophy that embodies the company’s vision and values. Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of the company, instilled a notion of perpetual excellence that would drive the company forward. This led Rolex to pioneer the development of the wristwatch and numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism, invented in 1931. In the course of its history, Rolex has registered over 600 patents. At its four sites in Switzerland, the brand designs, develops and produces the majority of its watch components, from the casting of the gold alloys to the machining, crafting, assembly and finishing of the movement, case, dial and bracelet. Furthermore, the brand is actively involved in supporting the arts and culture, sport and exploration, as well as those who are devising solutions to preserve the planet.

ABOUT ROLEX AND YACHTING

Rolex has always associated with activities driven by passion, excellence, precision and team spirit. The Swiss watchmaker naturally gravitated towards the elite world of yachting six decades ago and the brand’s enduring partnership now encompasses the most prestigious clubs, races and regattas, as well as towering figures in the sport, including ground-breaking round-the-world yachtsman Sir Francis Chichester and the most successful Olympic sailor of all time, Sir Ben Ainslie. Today, Rolex is Title Sponsor of 15 major international events – from leading offshore races such as the annual Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race, to grand prix competition at the Rolex TP52 World Championship and spectacular gatherings at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the Rolex Swan Cup. It also supports the exciting SailGP global championship in which national teams race identical supercharged F50 catamarans on some of the world’s most famous harbours. Rolex’s partnerships with the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Royal Ocean Racing Club, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, New York Yacht Club and Royal Yacht Squadron, among others, are the foundation of its enduring relationship with this dynamic sport.

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