The racing weekend ahead—Sailing news from the U.S. !!USE ON MAY 30!!

by David Schmidt, Sail-World USA Editor on 28 May 2013 If you’re wired like most sailors, it’s tough to concentrate on anything except the racing schedule as the last of spring’s chill fades into the first (unofficial) warm days of summer. Irrespective of where you live, there’s great racing happening almost anywhere that there’s enough salt- or freshwater to float a boat and enough wind to power her sailplan. (And if you happen to live near Long Island Sound, your sailing options for the weekend are particularly impressive!) Here’s a roundup of some of this weekend’s upcoming racing action.

On the east coast, the Robbie Pierce One Design Regatta is taking place at American Yacht Club on Long Island Sound. Here, some 25-30 different crews of disabled sailors will compete aboard identical Ideal 18s (courtesy of American YC and Larchmont YC). According to the pre-race reports, sailors from more than a dozen different states as well as Canada are expected to compete, adding serious gravity to an already high-profile event.

Meanwhile, the Robbie Pierce Women’s Invitational Regatta is also taking place at American YC. This is the only North American regatta that’s geared towards disabled female sailors, so expect the competition to be strong. Stay tuned to the website for more from the Robbie Pierce events, as they unfurl.

Speaking of OD racing and Long Island Sound, Cedar Point Yacht Club is hosting their annual One Design Regatta on Saturday and Sunday. Racing will take place in J/109s, J/105s, J/92s, Beneteau First 36.7s, Soverell 33s, J/30s, J/70s, and Viper 640s and will no doubt feature some of the best OD sailors in New England (and beyond).

The Stamford Yacht Club is hosting their annual double-handed regatta this weekend, with sailors competing using the old PHRF handicap system. According to the scratch sheet, 24 boats are expected to compete, ranging in size and complexity from a C&C 25 up to a Morris 45.

And on the other side of Long Island Sound, the Oakcliff Sailing Center is hosting their Oakliff Open (an ISAF Grade 5 event), which will be sailed in SM40s. Each team will sail with a crew of 5 or six sailors. New this year to the event’s line-up is the one-day 'clinegatta', which is designed to help sailors elevate their skillsets.

And down south, in Hampton, Virginia, the Hampton Yacht Club is hosting its Southern Bay Race Week, starting Thursday and running through the weekend. According to the regatta’s preliminary scratch sheet, the event expects (ballpark) 90 boats to compete, ranging from a venerable San Juan 21 to a brand-new, lickety-split Farr 400. More, as it becomes known.

In the Midwest, the Michigan Open Sunfish Championship/Midwest Regional I is taking place this weekend in Richland, Michigan. According to the regatta’s website, loaner boats are available for Youth sailors, making this an approachable event for sailors of all ages. Besides the serious business of racing sailboats, the event also offers speed croquet and paddle boating and a huge beachside bonfire on Saturday night.

And back here in the Pacific Northwest, I’m sorry to have to report that 'Juneuary' arrived early this year, bringing with it its usual winter-like conditions on the eve of summer. One of the big races this year around here is the Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race (one of my personal favorite sailing events and easily one of the coolest races that I’ve ever participated in), which is a series of stage races, starting on June 7, that circumnavigate Vancouver Island. If you’re lucky enough to be sailing in this awesome event, pack your heavy-duty foulies and a warm fleece (or three) as racing around the northwest corner of Vancouver Island can be a truly wet and wild experience.

Have a great weekend of racing and be sure to stay tuned to the website for the latest international-sailing news, as it becomes known.

May the four winds blow you safely home,