Hitting the start line on time and in a strong position lays the foundation for winning races. Experienced skippers know that prepping for the start of a big race begins with completing entry forms and locking in crew lists on time. For boat owners competing in the annual Rolex Big Boat Series, hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club, September 14-18, 2022, completing the regatta’s online entry process by midnight on July 31, 2022, saves money and solidifies crew commitment.
This matters: Rolex Big Boat Series is the West Coast’s most competitive regatta and earning an StFYC perpetual trophy requires a tactical edge. J/70, J/88, J/105, Express 37 and Cal 40 classes must meet a minimum number of entries by the July 31 deadline to ensure they enjoy their own dedicated starts.
All competing teams will be assessed a $250 late-entry fee if registration and payments are received after midnight on July 31. Owners planning to race under the Offshore Racing Congress’s handicap rules must register by the deadline to avoid late-entry fees, but they have until midnight on August 31, 2022, to submit their ORC certificates.
“Early registration is a win for everyone,” says Peter Gilmore, StFYC’s 2022 Commodore. “I entered my Cal 40 Longboard months ago. Saving money is nice, but having Rolex Big Boat Series on my calendar has also encouraged me to finalize my crew list, sort out my sail inventory and create a practice schedule. This should help keep us in contention in September.”
Experienced big-boat owners aren’t the only ones who appreciate the importance of punctual paperwork and avoiding self-inflicted additional costs.
“Nobody wants to charge late-entry fees,” says Susan Ruhne, StFYC’s Regatta Chair for the 2022 Rolex Big Boat Series. “We’d far prefer that teams enter by the July 31 deadline—it lets us understand our fleet and class sizes, organize docking and create even better onshore events.”
Early registration facilitates a better regatta experience for all involved. "I’d like to acknowledge everyone at St. Francis Yacht Club and at Rolex who have been working hard to create such a high-level regatta,” says Commodore Gilmore. “We’re optimistic for a great Rolex Big Boat Series this year. Competitors can do their part by registering before July 31, to help StFYC prepare and encourage teams to get organized.”
This wisdom holds true whether you’re racing a newly minted carbon-fiber weapon or an older vessel hewn from wood.
In 2019, the Rolex Big Boat Series opened its eligibility and class rules to welcome Classic boats that were constructed prior to 1955, carry at least 48 feet on the waterline and hold a valid ORRez rating certificate. The class proved popular among competitors and spectators and this year StFYC again welcomes these bygone beauties by granting them their own class start.
“Everyone loves watching the Classic boats sailing,” says Ruhne. “But they move at a steadier pace than our more caffeinated entries, so we give them plenty of starting-line seaway.” Like all classes that are competing at the 2022 Rolex Big Boat Series, owners who register before August 1 can help establish critical mass for the fleet while also saving on late-entry fees that could be better spent on new canvas or brightwork.
If you’re planning on testing your racecourse skills against the fastest, most-polished teams from the West Coast and beyond, the next two weeks are the ideal time to commit to a great week of late-summer racing. Competitors can expect world-class racecourse management, top-shelf après entertainment and a lively awards ceremony.
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 stfyc.com.
ABOUT ROLEX AND YACHTING
A Natural and Supportive Partner
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 St. Francis Yacht Club, New York Yacht Club, Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Royal Ocean Racing Club, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and Yacht Club Italiano among others, are the foundation of its enduring relationship with this dynamic sport.
