Big Boat Series of Rolex 2019

The big boat series by Rolex is on for its 55th annual event at San Francisco Bay. Registrations are open and the event would take place between 12th and 15th September 2019. This event is known to be a classic of the fall period and with the breezy sailing conditions that it is known for, the venue is also unique and so is the ultimate award, the Oyster Perpetual watch of the Submariner Chronometer series of Rolex.

The edition held last year was between J/105s and J/88. The latter class made their debut last year in this series. There had also been handicap racing that was super close among the ORR classes and Pac52 class. Express 37 class, on the other hand, is a long-standing participant which acts as the backbone of the regatta. Last year this class was only a single point away from reaching first and second place finishes.

Racing takes place in two Bay sections, one being the Alcatraz area and the other is the Treasure Island area. The Race committee splits the time for each class between these two areas for starting their races. That helps to test the speed as well as boat handling skills in different waves, currents and tides patterns.

The classes need to register by August 1st and with minimum six entries they will gain their own start of One Design. If a class does not reach this minimum number then they can participate in the ORR classes of the regatta. There would be monohulls that would be participating and they need to participate alongside these vessels in order to acquire an ORR certificate. J/70s need to register with a minimum of 15 boats. This is a category being brought back to One Design and that is also because last year they were the largest fleet that competed and qualified for the perpetual trophy Commodore’s Cup.

Wild Oats XI Gets Another International Recognition

The most popular of the yachts that take part in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is the Wild Oats XI, a super maxi owned by the Oatley family. This time the half model of this popular yacht is displayed in the model room of the Royal Thames Yacht Club. The Wild Oats XI is a 30-meter silver hulled yacht. This is a remarkable achievement for the Wild Oats XI as it has found its model placed in one of the oldest and the most prestigious yacht club in the UK.

The Royal Thames Yacht Club is located very close to the Buckingham Palace. It was founded in 1775 and is Commodore is Prince Andrew the Duke of York. There are over 250 half models of international yachts featured in the model room of this prestigious yacht club. Wild Oats XI should be really happy to have its half model now installed in this yacht club’s model room.
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SAXTON AND GROVES MAKE OLYMPIC DEBUT

Ben Saxton and Nicola Groves would be making their Olympic debut in Rio later this year. They would be doing so in a new class of boat: the Nacra 17. A mixed gender racing team is allowed in just three sports; the Mixed Multihull, Tennis and Badminton.

Saxton and Groves would be using the Nacra 17 boat at Rio ’16 as the fastest of the Olympic boats goes live. For the first time in sailing at the Olympics, mixed gender is permitted, unlike when it used to be gender-specific – just male or female, or open. Continue reading “SAXTON AND GROVES MAKE OLYMPIC DEBUT”