Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo M600

Two Rolex winners in ORC classes at the Rolex Big Boat Series

by Offshore Racing Congress 21 Sep 2022 01:48 AEST
Big Boat Series - Crowded starts were a feature of ORC Class B racing © Rolex / Daniel Forster

After seven races sailed over four days on breezy San Francisco Bay, there are two new skippers who are wearing Rolex watches for winning their ORC classes in the St Francis Yacht Club's Rolex Big Boat Series.

On impressive scores of 1-1-2-1-4-1-3, Paul Dorsey's Carkeek 40 ADJUDICATOR team from San Diego YC (shown below) won the St Francis Perpetual Trophy, the oldest trophy in the event, first awarded when the regatta began in 1964 and annually presented to the winner of the "premier handicap division," this year being ORC Class A.

Scott Easom's J/100 EIGHT BALL team (shown below) earned a convincing victory in ORC Class B on scores of 1-2-1-1-1-4-1 against all larger yachts in her class. The team was awarded the Atlantic Perpetual Trophy, a bell from the schooner Atlantic that in 1905 sailed a transatlantic course record that stood of nearly 100 years, and Easom a Rolex timepiece.

"I've talked to people I know who travel the world for sailing and they think highly of ORC, said Easom. I've been studying the results from ORC racing in Europe and I like the results and the boats that are winning. A lot of production boats seem to be doing well, which is good for the sport."

ORC scoring was based on three course models custom-crafted to condense the matrix of wind angles and speeds into single-number TCC's. These included a 50-50 Windward-Leeward model, a 60-40 model (3 beats and 2 runs), and a SF Bay tour model based on the geometry of the final day's single long race. Each course type was calculated for a Medium and Heavy mix of wind speeds, so race managers could select the model that best matched the conditions of the race.

For the first three days these conditions were the classic seabreeze that builds from 12 knots at midday to over 20 knots in the afternoon, with the Medium and Heavy scoring models selected for use by race managers.

The last day's unusual southerly brought rain squalls and blustery breeze, and prompted a recalculation of the traditional "Bay Tour" race course model to reflect the new wind direction.

Corrected times were close in both classes: for example, in a 50-50 race scored in Medium conditions on the second day of racing, the top 7 boats - the top 2 from the Class A performance boats and the top 5 from the Class B cruiser/racers - finished within 2 minutes in corrected time on the same 10.3 mile course. This is encouraging news for organizers who may consider the option of distilling overall winners from multiple class results.

"We feel the ORC system worked well," said Regatta Chair Susan Runhe. "We appreciate the help from ORC and US Sailing to build the models and scratch sheets, and be on hand to advise our Race Committee and competitors on how to use the system for fair racing."

Summary of top-three cumulative scores in the ORC classes:

Class A

1 ADJUDICATOR Carkeek 40 1-1-2-1-4-1-3 13 points
2 ARSENAL J/125 4-4-4-2-1-2-1 18
3 KUAI Melges 32 3-2-3-3-2-3-2 18

Class B

1 EIGHT BALL J/100 1-2-1-1-1-4-1 11 points
2 PEREGRINE J/120 1-1-6-4-3-1-2 19
3 CHANCE J/120 4-3-3-5-2-3-4 24

More information and complete results can be found on the event website.

Related Articles

A perfect start to the 5th annual AEGEAN 600
Cloudless blue skies, crystal clear waters and perfect 12-15 knots of northerly wind At the very southern end of the Greek mainland at Cape Sounion in Attica, today's start to the 5th edition of the AEGEAN 600 was perfect: cloudless blue skies, crystal clear waters and perfect 12-15 knots of northerly wind. Posted today at 8:39 pm
Final countdown to the AEGEAN 600
60 teams assembled at Olympic Marine for Sunday's start of the AEGEAN 600 On Saturday, the 60 teams assembled at Olympic Marine for Sunday's start of the AEGEAN 600 are using their final pre-race day to make last checks on their rigging, sails, and electronic systems, provision for the days they expect to be at sea. Posted on 5 Jul
AEGEAN 600 Attica Warm-Up Race
5th edition sets sail with strong winds and signature Greek hospitality Under perfect sunny skies and brisk northerly winds, the 5th edition of the annual AEGEAN 600 kicked off with a flawless start both on and off the water. Posted on 4 Jul
Varadero Valencia sponsors 26th SM La Reina Trophy
The flagship race at the Real Club Náutico de Valencia Varadero Valencia underlines its commitment to yachting by sponsoring, as in other years, the SM La Reina Trophy regatta and the ORC1 class. Posted on 3 Jul
Four days to start the 5th AEGEAN 600
The fleet has a wide range of sizes and types represented Nearly all 60 teams are assembled here at the Olympic Marine venue getting ready for the start of the 5th edition of the AEGEAN 600, organized by the Hellenic Offshore Race Club (HORC) with co-organizers being Olympic Marine and Region of Attica. Posted on 2 Jul
Some thoughts on provisioning for distance sailing
A new perspective on provisioning and time spent at sea One of the great joys of distance racing unfurls the moment that the dock lines are untied. Suddenly, the myriad packing lists that inevitably define most trip-planning efforts become about as relevant as a tax return from eight years ago. Posted on 1 Jul
Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy 2025 Preview
International sailing & ocean conservation unite in Cascais From July 4 to 6, Cascais hosts the biggest sailing regatta of the year with a strong focus on sustainability. The Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy celebrates six years of diversity, competition, and environmental commitment. Posted on 30 Jun
From ORC to DH: The XR 41 Delivers Again
All eyes were on the new XR 41 during the Maior Regatta in Kiel All eyes were on the new XR 41 during the Maior Regatta in Kiel, where she convincingly won under ORC. The boat has proven her versatility by taking on Denmark's Fyn Cup — and winning again. Posted on 29 Jun
First-ever ORC North American champions crowned
Fox, Zammermoos and Teamwork win at Block Island Race Week 2025 After completing the full schedule of races - 9 in the ORC 1 class and 10 in the ORC 2 and 3 classes - three new ORC North American Champion teams have been crowned on Friday at the Storm Trysail Club's 31st biennial Block Island Race Week. Posted on 28 Jun
31st Block Island Race Week Day 5
IHG Hotels and Resorts Race Day concludes the event Block Island Race Week's final tent party was abuzz with anticipation and excitement Friday evening, as sailors and spectators awaited the announcement of cumulative awards for the regatta's 60th anniversary. Posted on 27 Jun
Excess CatamaransRS Sailing 2021 - FOOTERMaritimo S Series