SFBayLaser
Member
The 2011 Elvstrom Regatta, and District 24 Championship for Standard, Radial and 4.7 rigs, is now less than two weeks away! This year's event will be huge as it may be the only regatta on the City Front before this Summer's 4.7 and Master Worlds (there **might** be a NOOD regatta and it **might** include dinghies). As such, its going to be a great training event for all the sailors who plan to race this Summer. For those that are too old, or too young to sail this Summer, the Elvstrom Regatta will be a great opportunity to race in some large and competitive fleets!
The first Elvstrom Regatta was run in 1975 (I recall that it was one year after the first NorCal and Chris Boome is the first name on that trophy - in 1974). San Francisco was the center of the then Laser universe, home to the top sailors in the world, the likes of John Bertrand, Chris Boome, Jeff Madrigali, Steve Jeppeson, Russ Silvestri, etc. Don Trask created the Elvstrom intending to create an enduring top level event at the St Francis Yacht Club and for the very first regatta none other than the event's namesake, Paul Elvstrom, came to sail in a Laser for the first time. After only one day of practice in a new boat (to him) he went out and finished second overall in what might have been the best fleet in the world at the time - losing first overall in the last race to, fittingly, a St Francis Junior sailor!
This year's event will also have some big names sailing and some of the top level Masters sailors from around the world.
The event organizers are expecting a big turnout and are using this event to hone their skills for this Summer's racing. Because the tides for the Elvstrom weekend are predicted to be strong, and with a Spring runoff enhanced ebb, they will not be attempting to run trapezoids off the face of Alcatraz, instead evaluating a windward-leeward style course that is a candidate replacement for the trapezoids this Summer. Still, expect course lengths similar to the world championship courses this Summer and top level committee work.
The Notice of Race for the event is available on the St Francis Yacht Club website at this link.
Online registration is also open at this link and note that since this is the District 24 Championship you MUST be a current member of the Laser Class to sail (membership will be verified during registration). Note that a $25 late fee kicks in if you register AFTER April 13 so don't hesitate, get your entry in as soon as possible!
You can check on the growing entry list by going to this link.
For those out of towners that have not decided, its not too late to make arrangements. Boat charters may still be possible through Svendsens Marine, check www.svendsens.com but its best to call them at the phone numbers listed there.
The first Elvstrom Regatta was run in 1975 (I recall that it was one year after the first NorCal and Chris Boome is the first name on that trophy - in 1974). San Francisco was the center of the then Laser universe, home to the top sailors in the world, the likes of John Bertrand, Chris Boome, Jeff Madrigali, Steve Jeppeson, Russ Silvestri, etc. Don Trask created the Elvstrom intending to create an enduring top level event at the St Francis Yacht Club and for the very first regatta none other than the event's namesake, Paul Elvstrom, came to sail in a Laser for the first time. After only one day of practice in a new boat (to him) he went out and finished second overall in what might have been the best fleet in the world at the time - losing first overall in the last race to, fittingly, a St Francis Junior sailor!
This year's event will also have some big names sailing and some of the top level Masters sailors from around the world.
The event organizers are expecting a big turnout and are using this event to hone their skills for this Summer's racing. Because the tides for the Elvstrom weekend are predicted to be strong, and with a Spring runoff enhanced ebb, they will not be attempting to run trapezoids off the face of Alcatraz, instead evaluating a windward-leeward style course that is a candidate replacement for the trapezoids this Summer. Still, expect course lengths similar to the world championship courses this Summer and top level committee work.
The Notice of Race for the event is available on the St Francis Yacht Club website at this link.
Online registration is also open at this link and note that since this is the District 24 Championship you MUST be a current member of the Laser Class to sail (membership will be verified during registration). Note that a $25 late fee kicks in if you register AFTER April 13 so don't hesitate, get your entry in as soon as possible!
You can check on the growing entry list by going to this link.
For those out of towners that have not decided, its not too late to make arrangements. Boat charters may still be possible through Svendsens Marine, check www.svendsens.com but its best to call them at the phone numbers listed there.