West Florida Open Race Challenge and Melges24 Bushwhacker Cup highlight Pensacola YC Fall calendar
by Talbot Wilson 1 Sep 2021 13:56 PDT
October 15-17, 2021
Bora Gulari [USA820] with his crew of Kyle Navin, Norman Berge, Ian Liberty and American Magic's CEO/Skipper Terry Hutchinson took second in the inaugural Bushwhacker Cup with a 4-5-1-2-2 record © Talbot Wilson
Entries are now open for two major Fall regattas in Pensacola, Florida... the multi-class WFORC (now the West Florida Open Race Challenge) October 15-17 and the one-design Melges 24 Bushwhacker Cup/Atlantic Coast Championship November 12-14.
Pensacola Yacht Club has posted NOR/SI's and other regatta information on www.yachtscoring.com and on www.pensacolayachtclub.org/Racing.
First, the WFORC— it's old but new!
"Open" replaces ocean and it's a new challenge. Pensacola YC now offers a reformatted and expanded West Florida Open Racing Challenge. Ten races are scheduled for the two-day regatta. Wind willing, five per day. Up to two Fun courses using Pensacola Bay government marks each day are planned for Non-spinnaker boats.
The regatta is open to PHRF, one design C/R type boats and One Design performance sportboats, like the Melges 24, Viper, VX One, J70 and other similar classes,
A minimum of five boats are required for a class. PHRF Fleets may be divided into classes based on the number of entries and their PHRF ratings. If a total of 15 One Design sportboats— combining classes— are registered, a separate performance circle will be provided.
Come for the sailing! Come for the fun!
Sailing on Pensacola Bay is spectacular. Parties at Pensacola YC are famous.
Friday, October 15 — Registration and party (practice if you want to)
Saturday, October 16 — Bay Races and party
Sunday, October 17 — Bay Races and party and prizes
Next, the Melges 24 Bushwhacker Cup
It's Back. Last year the combined Melges 24 Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast Championships were sailed on Mobile Bay because the Pensacola YC marina had been damaged by Hurricane Sally. The Annual Bushwhacker Cup is back on track for November 2021... The Race is On!
All National and International Melges 24's are invited to Pensacola for excellent racing and hospitality, including some free Bushwhackers. Come to Pensacola for excellent Melges 24 racing in the annual Bushwhacker Cup including the Atlantic Coast Championship. Practice racing and a dockside clinic will be offered on November 12th.
Ten (10) races are scheduled for the regatta. The RC shall attempt to complete five (5) races per day.
November 12 - Registration, Practice racing and sponsored class clinic/party
November 13 - Five races scheduled and party
November 14 - Five races scheduled and party and prizes
The Bushwhacker Cup also serves as Race #10 of the Melges 24 National Ranking Series.
Pensacola YC will provide free trailer parking through the Bushwhacker Cup for Melges 24's also entered in the WFORC.
Fun and fair racing
Come on down to the South's finest, friendliest Yacht Club. Enjoy a bucket of Bushwhackers, and race on the world famous waters of Pensacola Bay under the expert direction of Pensacola's PRO Hal Smith.
Pensacola Bay is naturally protected by Santa Rosa Island to the South. The pass to the Gulf of Mexico is located to the southwest, across from the Naval Air Station Pensacola. It divides the Gulf Islands National Seashore on Santa Rosa Island from the seashore park on Perdido Key.
The Pensacola Bay racing areas are a matter of minutes from the Bayou Chico Channel and the Pensacola YC marina. That's more racing and less transit time from the club to the courses.
In October and November, Pensacola sailors often find a daily sea breeze that builds from a mid-day southeasterly to the afternoon 12-15 southwesterly they love. In other seasons, the winds are determined by frontal passages, temperature variables, and Florida sunshine.
All sailors are invited to come sail on Pensacola Bay. Organizers of amateur regional, national or international sailing championships and professional sailing events should contact Pensacola Yacht Club to discuss racing with us on beautiful Pensacola Bay.
www.pensacolayachtclub.org