Timing is everything to sign up for Ullman Sails Long Beach Race Week

by Betsy Crowfoot on 27 May 2016 Timing is everything in sailboat racing. An impeccably timed start gives you an advantage you can extend throughout the entire race. Gauge the perfect layline, round the mark first, get the kite up swiftly: you’re in the money!

Timing is everything too, when planning your entry to Ullman Sails Long Beach Race Week (LBRW) June 24 to 26, 2016. Line up a primo crew. Book a slip in Long Beach. And get a sweet early entry discount, when you sign up on or before June 6.

Something new to keep competitors running on time is the Buzz Bar café sponsored by US Sailing. Racers can get their daily jolt of caffeine between 8:00 and 11:00am outside the Registration area at Long Beach Yacht Club (LBYC).

Cappuccino, espresso, latte, mochachino, teas and more will be provided free of charge, to keep teams on their toes. Both host clubs, LBYC and Alamitos Bay Yacht Club (ABYC) will also have breakfast items for sale each morning.

And you’ve got to act fast so you don’t miss the boat in the Catalina 37 competition. Charters for the Catalina 37 National Championships were snatched up faster than a speeding bullet: only one boat was still available at publication time.

Thispopular one-design fleetis fierce but friendly, with amicable rivalries. Last year’s action saw LBYC’s Dave Hood and team elbow out fellow flag officer at ABYCChuck Clay, and crew. “With thisone design class, the boats are kept very even and you can really see the difference in the teamwork,” said Hood. “These boats amplify all that. If you’re doing really well, you can see it, and if you make a mistake you can see that too.”

There’s still plenty of time to enter other one-design fleets including Viper 640, Schock 35, J/70, J/80, J/105, J/109 and J/120: close of entries is June 21.LBRW also features lively PHRF racing on both windward/leeward and random leg courses.Organizers expect upwards of 140 entries to partake in the fun and festivities of LBRW.

And of course the water taxi between ABYC and LBYC keeps sailors party-prompt: running post-race until 9:00pm Friday and Saturday; ‘til 7:30pm Sunday.

You wouldn’t be late to the race start: so don’t delay your entry! Sign up today and save $50 in entry fees … that’ll come in handy, when buying drinks for your winning crew.

Register online now here and save $50 on entry fees, which include racing, parties, prizes and more.