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Home  News  2023 US Open Sailing Series Begins in Ft. Lauderdale and Miami

2023 US Open Sailing Series Begins in Ft. Lauderdale and Miami

Miami (January 13, 2023)  – Over 230 competitors from 22 countries will descend on South Florida this weekend for the Miami and Fort Lauderdale US Open Sailing Series. The ILCA 4, 6 and 7, and Nacra 15 will compete out of Lauderdale Yacht Club, while the Mixed 470, 29er, Formula Kite, 49er, 49erFX, and iQFOiL Men & Women will take to the water from the US Sailing Center in Coconut Grove.  

Several Olympians will be in attendance in Miami. Stuart McNay (Providence, R.I.), four-time Olympian, is back in the 470 with 2020 470 Olympian Lara Dallman-Weiss (Shoreview, Minn.). 2020 Nacra 17 and RS:X Olympians Anna Weis (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) and Pedro Pascual will take to the water in the iQFOiL class, while 2016 49erFX Olympian Paris Henken (Coronado, Calif.) is teaming up with 2008 Gold Medalist in the ILCA 6 Anna Tunnicliffe-Tobias (Pittsburg, Penn.) in the 49erFX class.

The Women’s Formula Kite class will be one to watch, with the top two finishers at the 2022 World Championship – American Daniela Moroz (San Fransisco, Calf.) and French athlete Lauriane Nolot (Camps la Source, France) – set to compete in Miami.  This weekend the Formula Kite class tops both events for most nationalities and territories represented on the course with athletes representing 11 different flags.  

In the ILCA 6 fleet, local Ft. Lauderdale success story Erika Reineke (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) will continue her return to the ILCA 6 after pursuing a campaign in the 49erFX. Reineke got back in the boat last year for the ILCA 6 World Championship in Houston, where she finished 10th and as the top American. 

The top three finishers in all Olympic disciplines – Mixed 470, Formula Kite, 49er, 49erFX, iQFOiL Men & Women, ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 – will be eligible for cash prizes at both events. First place takes home $1,000 cash, second place $500, and third place $250. 

The series was established in 2019, building on the back of the popular Olympic Class Regatta (OCR) events as a domestic training platform for athletes racing in Olympic class boats. This year’s Florida series also serves as the beginning of a qualification and selection process for select classes for the 2023 Olympic Test Event in Marseille, France, the 2023 Allianz Sailing World Championships in The Hague, The Netherlands, and the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile.    

Read more about the qualification and selection processes here .  

US Sailing would like to thank national sponsors Gill and New England Ropes for their support of this important national training program. US Sailing would also like to thank the organizing authority, host clubs, and volunteers that help the US Open Sailing Series run smoothy: Miami Yacht Club, Lauderdale Yacht Club, Coconut Grove Sailing Center, the USMMA Sailing Foundation , and Miami Kiteboarding school, and the countless volunteers.

The Miami and Fort Lauderdale events are the first of the series, which will continue on to Clearwater in February and to three West Coast locations starting in June.  

Copyright ©2018-2024 United States Sailing Association. All rights reserved. US Sailing is a 501(c)3 organization. Website designed & developed by Design Principles, Inc. -->

Sail Space Coast

2021 myc fall regatta big boat weekend – results, overall corrected time for 2021 fall big boat regatta, *preliminary*, summary printed: 10/24/2021 1:44:18 pm ordered by overall finish time.

Continue reading 2021 MYC Fall Regatta Big Boat Weekend – Results →

2021 MYC Fall Regatta – Small Boat Weekend

Sunfish fleet, laser fleet, a-class cat fleet, 2021 iryc wednesday night mosquito series, final results.

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2021 Dragon Point J/24 Florida State Series Fall Regatta Results

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2021 MYC Full Moon Regatta

Phrf a fleet, phrf b fleet, myc rum race summer series, aug 20 results, racers fleet, racer-cruisers fleet, cruisers fleet, iryc wednesday night mosquito series, aug 18 results.

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IRYC Wednesday Night Mosquito Series, Aug 11 Results

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Regional Sailboat Races in the USA

By: Zeke Quezada, ASA Destinations , Sailing Races

Let’s set sail into the thrilling world of regional sailboat races! These competitions offer a unique and exciting twist on the traditional sailing experience.

Regional races center around sailboats vying for supremacy in specific corners of the world, be it a coastal paradise or a cluster of enchanting islands. These events serve as a rallying point for local racers, as sailors hailing from nearby towns and yacht clubs come together to showcase their skills. 

What’s particularly enticing about regional races is their inclusivity. Whether you’re piloting a nimble dinghy or commanding a majestic yacht, these races often welcome boats of all types and sailors of all levels. Whether you’re a seasoned sea veteran or a novice setting sail for the first time, there’s a class tailored to your needs at most of these local sailing races.

It’s not all about the competition! Regional races transform into grand sailing events, where communities burst to life for multiple days of festivities while showcasing their local flavor. Sailors gather, forge new friendships, and revel in their shared passion for this incredible sport.

Moreover, these races often offer affordable entry fees, ensuring accessibility to aspiring racers of all backgrounds. Some races may be shorter and less arduous than epic ocean crossings, making them ideal for sailors looking to refine their skills. Regional sailboat races are all about honoring the sport of sailing and the remarkable community it nurtures.

• Website: Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race
• Description: The Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race is an offshore yacht race that takes participants from Marblehead, Massachusetts, to Halifax, Nova Scotia. It’s a challenging long-distance race across the North Atlantic.
• Website: Figawi Race Weekend
• Description: Figawi Race Weekend is a popular sailing event that includes both a race and a weekend of festivities. It starts in Hyannis, Massachusetts, and ends on Nantucket Island.
• Website: Block Island Race Week
• Description: Block Island Race Week is a biennial event that takes place on Block Island, Rhode Island. It features a series of races over the course of a week and is known for its lively social scene.
• Website: Vineyard Race
• Description: The Vineyard Race is an offshore race that starts and finishes in Stamford, Connecticut, with a course that takes sailors around Martha’s Vineyard. It’s known for its scenic course and challenging conditions.
• Website: Newport to Bermuda Race
• Description: The Newport to Bermuda Race is a classic offshore race that starts in Newport, Rhode Island, and finishes in Bermuda. It’s one of the most prestigious ocean races on the East Coast.
• Website: Ida Lewis Distance Race
• Description: The Ida Lewis Distance Race is a coastal race that starts and finishes in Newport, Rhode Island. It offers a variety of courses, including offshore and overnight racing.
• Website: Camden Classics Cup
• Description: The Camden Classics Cup is a regatta held in Camden, Maine, that celebrates classic and vintage sailing yachts. It’s a showcase of timeless sailboat designs.
• Website: Nantucket Race Week
• Description: Nantucket Race Week is a week-long sailing event held on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts. It includes a variety of racing classes and social activities, making it a family-friendly event.
• Website: Boothbay Harbor Regatta
• Description: The Boothbay Harbor Regatta is an annual regatta held in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. It features a mix of sailboat racing, social events, and onshore activities.
• Website: Annapolis to Newport Race
• Description: The Annapolis to Newport Race is a classic offshore race that starts in Annapolis, Maryland, and finishes in Newport, Rhode Island. This classic race takes sailors between two of the USA’s sailing epicenters.
• Website: Charleston Race Week
• Description: Charleston Race Week is a premier sailing event held in Charleston, South Carolina. It’s one of the largest regattas in the United States, featuring a wide range of sailboat classes and competitive racing.
• Website: Around Long Island Regatta
• Description: The Around Long Island Regatta is an annual offshore race that circumnavigates Long Island, New York. It’s a challenging race known for its variety of conditions and scenic views along the course.
• Website: Around Martha’s Vineyard Race
• Description: The Around Martha’s Vineyard Race is a sailing race that circumnavigates Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. 
• Website: Conanicut Yacht Club
• Description: The Around Jamestown Island Race is organized by the Conanicut Yacht Club and takes place in the waters around Jamestown Island, near Newport, Rhode Island. It’s a local race with stunning views of the Newport area.
• Website: Atlantic Cup
• Description: The Atlantic Cup is a premier Class 40 offshore racing series held along the East Coast of the United States. It features multiple legs and attracts international competitors. The race promotes sustainability and ocean health.

• Website: Rolex Big Boat Series
• Description: The Rolex Big Boat Series is a prestigious sailing event held in San Francisco, California. It’s known for attracting top sailors and a wide range of sailboat classes, making it a highlight of the West Coast racing calendar.
• Website: Pacific Cup
• Description: The Pacific Cup is a biennial offshore yacht race that takes participants from San Francisco, California to Kaneohe, Hawaii. It’s a challenging race known for its long-distance and unpredictable conditions.
• Website: Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race
• Description: This is one of the largest international yacht races, starting from Newport Beach, California, and finishing in Ensenada, Mexico. It features a wide range of sailboat classes and attracts sailors from around the world.
• Website: Baja Ha-Ha
• Description: The Baja Ha-Ha is an annual cruisers’ rally that starts in San Diego, California, and ends in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. While not a traditional race, it’s a popular event for sailors looking to cruise along the Baja California Peninsula.
• Website: Swiftsure International Yacht Race
• Description: The Swiftsure International Yacht Race is held in the waters off Victoria, British Columbia. It offers a variety of race courses, attracting both local and international sailors for a challenging competition.
• Website: Round the County Race
• Description: The Round the County Race is a sailing race that takes place in the beautiful San Juan Islands of Washington State. It offers a picturesque and challenging course for sailors.
• Website: Santa Barbara to King Harbor Race
• Description: This race starts in Santa Barbara, California, and finishes in Redondo Beach, California. It’s a popular offshore race along the Southern California coastline.
• Website: Southern Straits Yacht Race
• Description: The Southern Straits Yacht Race is a challenging overnight race that begins and ends in Vancouver, British Columbia. It’s known for its strategic and tactical sailing.
• Website: Long Beach Race Week
• Description: Long Beach Race Week is a multi-day regatta held in Long Beach, California. It features a variety of racing classes and attracts sailors of all levels.

Gulf of Mexico

• Website: Harvest Moon Regatta
• Description: The Harvest Moon Regatta is a popular offshore sailing race that takes participants from Galveston, Texas, to Port Aransas, Texas. It typically takes place in October and is known for its festive atmosphere.
• Website: New Orleans Yacht Club
• Description: The Race to the Coast is a sailing race that starts in New Orleans, Louisiana, and finishes in Gulfport, Mississippi. It’s organized by the New Orleans Yacht Club.
• Website: GBCA Performance Cup Series
• Description: The GBCA Performance Cup Series is a series of sailboat races organized by the Galveston Bay Cruising Association (GBCA) in Galveston, Texas. It includes various races and regattas throughout the year.
• Website: St. Petersburg Yacht Club
• Description: The St. Petersburg to Havana Race is an offshore race that starts in St. Petersburg, Florida, and finishes in Havana, Cuba. It’s organized by the St. Petersburg Yacht Club.
• Website: Clearwater Yacht Club
• Description: The Clearwater to Key Largo Race is an offshore sailing race that starts in Clearwater, Florida, and finishes in Key Largo, Florida. It’s organized by the Clearwater Yacht Club.

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2023 - 2024 Annual Regatta Series

We'd love to see you on the water for our annual regatta series. Would you please join us?

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I nterested in crewing for a sailboat race? Put your name on the crew list for the 2023-2024 series!

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2023 Goombay Regatta Photos Great Photos of the BBYRA OD #10 race compliments of Susan Mohorcic https://photos.app.goo.gl/JQDSJjDSP5XY2kFc9

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CGSC Annual Regatta 10/16/2021. Some great pics of the race from Susan Mohorcic on the Pin Boat.   h ttps://photos.app.goo.gl/x4GQzBCHUdccmvAr6

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The next BBYRA BOARD meeting will be Thursday, April 25th, 2024.  If you have something you wish to submit for this meeting please email it to [email protected]

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The St. Pete Sailing Association races for the thrill of it, for the fun of it, and for all the stories that come of it! The season runs from September through May. There is one series race per month, usually on a Saturday. Additionally, there are several regattas including the Good Old Boat Regatta, one of the premier events in Florida. Our full regatta schedule is available on our Google Calendar .

Members : See the regattas page to view and register for upcoming races.

The aim of the association is to provide a program of fun racing on Tampa Bay for sailboats of different types via handicaps. Eligible sailboats are those which are self-righting, have self-draining cockpits, and a minimum overall length of twenty feet. Boats are rated by the West Florida Performance Handicap Racing Fleet (WFPHRF) or a special SPSA handicap rating. Races are sailed under the current I.Y.R.U. rules and prescriptions of the U.S.S.A. with certain exceptions and amendments that are set forth in the sailing instructions. Race results are posted to the SPSA website.

If you would like more information about racing with SPSA, our upcoming events, or about becoming a member please contact the [email protected] .

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THE MUG RACE

Updated January 29, 2021

The Mug Race is billed as the "worlds longest river race" for sailboats, and I haven't heard anybody dispute that title.

It is sponsored by the Rudder Club of Jacksonville, and has been a standard spectacle for many years.

The May 2021  Mug Race will be the 67th annual one.

The race starts in Palatka on the first Saturday in May, and the course runs north for 38 1/2 miles on the St. Johns River to the Buckman Bridge (I-295) just south of Jacksonville in Orange Park.

The boats are divided into classes, and no sailboat can have a mast higher than 44 feet because that's the clearance of one of the bridges along the route.

It's an unusual race. The slowest boats start first and are followed in succession by the faster classes. This is called a  pursuit race.   For example, a heavy old clunker sailboat might start at 7:00 am and be followed 15 minutes later by a slightly faster vessel, and so on.

The Mug Race Usually Begins at 7:00 a.m. 

Like any other sailboat race, it is forbidden to use your engine. You can, however, use an oar if the wind dies down. You can also put one swimmer in the river to tow the boat if needed.

The fastest any boat has ever made the trip is just under 3 hours. That was a catamaran on a day when the wind was perfect and everything went absolutely right.

Typical times are much longer, sometimes 10 to 12 hours or even more depending on the wind and vigor of paddlers or swimmers.

Some boats don't even finish and haul out somewhere along the way. This is Florida; some days are windy, some are not. Some days are windy and rainy; other days are blistered by the hot May sun.

There are prizes for first to finish, first to finish in class, etc. Just finishing the race, especially on a windless day, is a real achievement.

If you can find a friend with an outboard motor boat, it's great fun to watch the race from the water. It's important to stay out of the way of the racers, but you will have fun watching the antics.

There are also vantage points along both banks of the St. Johns River where you can watch the fleet go by.

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A Quick Guide to Winter Racing in Florida

For many places up north, the sailing season has come to an end, but the winter sailing season in Florida is just heating up. With a number of signature regattas coming up in the Sunshine State, we put together a high-level guide to help you know what to expect when you arrive for your regatta.

There are a number of great events this winter in Florida, including Quantum Key West Race Week and the Quantum J/70 series that you won’t want to miss. Our experts, Marty Kullman and Scott Nixon, talk about things to know if you plan on sailing in the Sunshine State this winter.

“The major appeal for most is to get out of the snow and head south. Florida is the closest cost-effective location to sailing in the Caribbean, which has better sailing, but Florida is easier to get to logistically,” describes Kullman.

Close to the trade winds – January’s best…is in Key West.

There are normally 1 to 2 cold fronts per week in Key West during January – meaning a very shifty and strong Northerly with flatter water for a few days. After a cold front, the breeze tends to go northeast and taper off, but the wind stays shifty and could trend right. Northerly direction can blow a lot of weeds onto the course, so be sure to watch out for the clumps. Bring a weed stick to Key West to clear your rudder and continue to practice flossing.

The weather gets hot when the high-pressure system is over Florida and the wind will shift from east to southeast. This is where you will see the classic Key West racing days with sunny clear skies and small wind shifts in the teens. Expect to see some chop and swell from this direction.

After the high leaves the Keys, it stays warm and the breeze gets a bit lighter and shiftier from the southeast with some chop and swell. Watch the right and sail for pressure.

If you're planning to attend Quantum Key West Race Week from January 17th-22nd, Nixon reminds you that "Key West Race Week is a long regatta with five days of sailing, so pace yourself. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Top teams start out solid and finish strong. Consistency is key to getting on the podium and Duval Street has taken more than a few good teams off the podium. Have fun, but don’t stay out too late.” You can register here for the event of the winter.

Take advantage of Quantum coaching, debriefs and class gurus available to help at the race village and check out Coach Ed Adams weather report each morning.

A challenging and fun venue – expect to see flat water with shifty lake-like conditions. Despite it being known as the Sunshine State, be sure to pack warm clothing and foul weather gear. Fronts move through during the winter months regularly, bringing cold and windy conditions. For the J/70 racers out there, be sure to register here for the Quantum J/70 Winter Series, held the weekends of December 12-13th, January 9-10th, and February 6-7th hosted by Davis Island Yacht Club on Tampa Bay. Competitors must compete in a minimum of two of the three regattas during the series to qualify for a podium position.

South Beach and Ft. Lauderdale

South Beach and Ft. Lauderdale have some of the best sailing in Florida, with windy and wavy conditions on the Atlantic. Even though these locations offer great sailing, they can be logistically harder to attend due to lack of boat storage. Most venues are out of marinas and it is difficult to leave your boat at these locations.

The Ft. Lauderdale to Key West Race is a popular feeder race for Key West Race Week that attracts a mixture of sailors from grand prix racers to cruisers. This popular race typically provides a nice ride downwind around the curve of the Florida Keys to the crystal clear waters of Key West.

Miami’s Biscayne Bay attracts sailors from all over during the winter months due to its incredible sailing conditions, warm waters and competitive fleets. Several Olympic and professional sailors flock to Miami and call this place home for the winter months due to a wide variety of training conditions and opportunities to cross-train in other competitive fleets. Lighter air in the summer with land thermal’s and a consistent sea breeze, the winter months bring more fronts and more challenging conditions.

Many fleets are following in the Etchells and Melges 20’s footsteps with winter series. Competitors can find local storage and leave their boats in between regattas if they are going to compete in any of the winter series. Be sure to be proactive and make arrangements early, however, as these places do have limits and will fill up.

Among all the winter series, midwinter championships, and several other regattas being held in Florida this winter it shouldn’t be hard to find regattas that are suited to your sailing. At whatever regattas you may find yourself attending during the winter sailing season in Florida, there are sure to be Quantum experts at each event. Ask our experts any questions you may have and take advantage of their coaching.

Check out our recent article on How to Prepare Your Boat and Your Crew for a Signature Regatta .

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Offshore Sailing School’s Fast Track® to Performance Sailing is an intensive five-day learning experience that takes you from learning to sail through the start of competitive racing. This course is designed to transition beginners, small boat sailors and big-boat crew with no formal sail-training – to becoming confident, skilled sailors in competition or when just out having fun around other sailboats. The 5-day sailing adventure starts with two full days of basic sailing 101, then continues with three full days dedicated to the exciting world of performance sailing 102. Protect your investment with Travel Insurance. View coverage options here .

Start with Basic Keelboat Sailing Lessons

Fast Track® to Performance Sailing is taught on Offshore Sailing School’s Colgate 26 sailboats, specifically designed for teaching essential sailing and performance techniques. The first two days focus on fundamental sailing skills, tailored for novices, those who need to brush up their sailing knowledge, or lack experience on mid-sized open cockpit keelboats. This initial phase lays a robust sailing foundation, covering what you need to know to gain US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification.

Continue with Performance Sailing and Racing Lessons

The next three days are devoted to techniques that make a sailboat sail fast! You learn advanced sailing techniques including sail twist, racing tactics, mark rounding, and spinnaker handling – just some of the skills that are crucial for sailors who have a yen for local club racing and want to improve proficiency aboard when crewing and steering.

SAVE THE DATE: NEW 4-DAY PERFORMANCE RACING CLINIC Get regatta-ready with accomplished sailboat racing coaches in Florida, January 12-15, 2025. You must be a seasoned sailor. If you require basic racing skill development, take the Fast Track to Performance Sailing course described above first. Join the list to receive details as soon as they are ready.

Holistic Learning Approach

This exciting course combines visual, auditory, and hands-on learning. Prior to arrival, you are sent the US Sailing Basic Keelboat textbook to study in advance, preparing you for theoretical and practical aspects of sailing. In-class sessions deepen your understanding of sailing. On-water sessions aboard a Colgate 26 emphasize practicing knowledge you have absorbed and applying those concepts in real sailing situations.

Your Path to Advanced Sailing Performance

Fast Track® to Performance Sailing is more than a course. It’s a stepping stone to advanced sailing on any size boat. Whether you aim to compete in sailboat day racing around the buoys, overnight sailboat racing from one point to another, or just wish to become a more proficient sailor, this course equips you with the necessary skills and knowledge to continue your growth path in your sailing community.

Join Our Sailing Family in a Superb Sailing Vacation Setting

In this Fast Track® course you experience more than just sailing. You learn at a picturesque Florida location with a perfect mix of serene beauty and warm weather in a rich sailing environment.  You are invited to be part of this transformative experience on a superb vacation getaway. A maximum of four students per instructor, per boat make this highly personal learning experience one you’ll never forget. Sign up now for the Fast Track® to Performance Sailing course and start your journey towards becoming an adept sailor, ready to take on new challenges and enjoy the thrill of sailing to its fullest.

What You Learn

Basic keelboat 101 and performance sailing 102 combined:.

• Nautical terminology
• Rigging and sails
• Getting underway
• Proper winch techniques
• Finding wind direction on all points of sail
• Proper tacking and jibing techniques
• Interaction of wind and sails
• Wind pressure and lift
• Heeling and stability
• Apparent wind
• Wind shifts
• Stopping and starting under sail
• Crew overboard pick-up
• Sailing backwards
• Rudderless sailing
• Sail trim and shape
• Trimming sails for speed
• Boat balance
• Mooring and anchoring
• Most used knots
• Right-of-way rules
• Heavy weather techniques
• Steering with a compass
• Weather and Lee helm
• Spinnaker set, jibe, douse and control
• Jibe angles
• Sail and mast shape and control
• Velocity made good
• Sailing in current and use of ranges
• Collision avoidance
• Taking bearings
• Introduction to racing rules
• Function of race committee
• Flags and other signals
• Starting sequence and tactics
• Basic racing rules
• Mark roundings
• Performance in close quarters
• Finishing first

Prerequisite:  No prior sailing knowledge is required.

Certifications:  US Sailing Basic Keelboat and US Sailing Performance Sailing.

What’s Included

The fast track® to performance sailing course package includes:.

• 2 days of Basic Keelboat 101 and 3 days of Performance Sailing 103 tuition
• 6 nights accommodations ashore
• Resort fees and taxes related to accommodations
• US Sailing Basic Keelboat textbook
• Offshore Sailing School Fast Track to Sailing textbook
• US Sailing Basic Keelboat and Performance Sailing certifications when tests are passed
• Certification stickers for logbook
• Certificate of achievement

Not included are travel and transfer costs, meals, and costs for other  activities.

Where to Learn

Please call 888-454-7015 or 239-454-1700 for Florida locations where this course is offered.

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Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Day One: Super Stock And Bracket Class Winners

The oldest saying in offshore powerboat racing is “to finish first, first you have to finish,” and that couldn’t have proven truer as the favorites in Super Stock and Bracket 500 succumbed well before the checkered flag waved on the first day of action at the 39th annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix in Sarasota, Fla. Produced by Powerboat P1 , the Grand Prix is the third race of the  American Power Boat Association  Offshore National Championship Series and the second race of the  Union Internationale Motonautique  Class 1 World Championship Series.

The Super Stock fleet at the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix included 11 catamarans. Photos by Pete Boden/ Shoot 2 Thrill Pix

In Saturday’s final race, the 11 boats in the Super Stock class took to the Gulf of Mexico. Winds were picking up and there were white caps, but conditions were fast and racy. As they did in the first two races of the season, the 32-foot Victory catamaran, Jackhammer , with owner/driver Reese Langheim and throttleman Julian Maldonado bolted to the lead. Giving chase was a pack of boats including the 32-foot MTI cat, CMR, with driver/owner Sean Conner and John Tomlinson subbing for Shaun Torrente on throttles. Throttleman Rusty Williams and driver Myrick Coil in the 32-foot Doug Wright, Performance Boat Center /FASS Diesel Fuel Systems, were in the mix as were owner/driver Daren Kittredge and throttleman Grant Bruggemann in the 32-foot Doug Wright, Northwing Offshore.

A total of 64 teams descended on the city on the west coast of Florida that has become one of the favorite sites in offshore powerboat racing. A checkered flag from Sarasota is rivaled only by one from the world championships in Key West, Fla., in November. The weekend kicked off with a party on Friday evening where fans could meet the teams at the 10th Street ramp party followed by racing in the bracket 500, 600 and 700 classes and Super Stock boats, plus Class 1 pole position qualifying on Saturday.

The day started with calm conditions, but winds slowly built through the day and temperatures in the mid-90s added to the challenge.

It didn’t take long for the teams in the ultra-competitive Super Stock class to push the limits. The 32-foot Doug Wright, LPC, with owner/throttleman Loren Peters and driver Anthony Smith, started moving up through the fleet when it rolled on the outboard leg of the 6-mile course that had the racers navigating in a clockwise direction. Competition was halted after less than a lap. Peters and Smith were OK and the boat was hauled back to the pits.

The CMR team of Sean Conner and John Tomlinson ran a consistent race to earn the Super Stock-class checkered flag.

The carnage took its toll quickly. In that first lap, the 32-foot Doug Wright, Team Allen Lawn Care and Landscaping, appeared to have something torn off the stern and didn’t make the restart. Neither did the 32-foot Doug Wright, Team Bermuda.

After many Super Stock competitors voiced concerns about quick green flags in Cocoa Beach at the previous P1 Offshore race, the starters made sure the boats were grouped more fairly in Sarasota. When the green flag flew on the restart, Jackhammer jumped to the lead, with CMR, Performance Boat Center and the 32-foot Victory, Big East Construction, which is owned and driven by Cole Leibel and throttled by veteran Gary Ballough, giving chase in a tight pack.

It didn’t take long for attrition to rear its ugly head. Jackhammer had an engine go into guardian mode, which shuts down the 300-hp outboard to prevent more significant damage. “Nothing like stopping and going every 30 seconds,” Maldonado said. “We had a 14-second lead at the start and guardian started and never stopped.”

The team kept the boat on the same lap as the leaders and appeared to just be running for points.

CMR and Performance Boat Center battled for the lead, with each boat enjoying an advantage on different parts of the course.

“In head seas, they’d catch me, and in following seas, I’d catch them, and it went like that for a few laps,” said Tomlinson, who had raced with Coil in the Super Cat class previously and knew that he could enter a turn with his competitor/friend and not worry about any incidents or collisions.

Check out the slideshow above for more images from the Super Stock race.

Unfortunately, the battle to the finish didn’t materialize when Performance Boat Center pulled off with mechanical issues. Big East Construction moved into second and appeared to be in position for a much-needed podium finish until broken motor mounts forced Ballough to shut down one engine and limp around the course attempting to gain as many points as possible.

With CMR in the lead, Torrente, who qualified for the pole position at an F1H2O tunnel boat race on Saturday afternoon in France, watched on his cell phone while eating dinner with his family. Tomlinson and Conner took the checkered flag followed by Pete and A.J. Bogino in the 32-foot Doug Wright, CoCo’s Monkey, and Jackhammer, which kept running because the race isn’t over until the checkered flag waves.

“I’m pacing the streets of France as we walk back from dinner,” Torrente said in a message to speedonthewater.com from overseas. “It was an amazing race. Sean was turning the boat incredibly and Johnny was getting used to the boat and kept getting quicker and quicker. I’m so thankful for him sitting in for me.”

But as we always report on speedonthewater.com, all results are unofficial pending official inspections and video reviews. According to the APBA Offshore Commission chairman Rich Luhrs, four combined lane infractions at the start and post-accident restart that resulted in four yellow cards (Luhrs declined to name the penalized teams.) That, in turn, changed the official finishing order. Though CMR retained the checkered flag, Jackhammer moved into second place, followed by Big East Construction in thrid.

Almost serving as a harbinger of what was to come, the Class 1 boats took to the 6-mile course to see who would claim the coveted inside lane on Sunday afternoon. The boats ran a “get-comfortable-with-the-course” lap and then followed that with two timed laps. The fastest time would give a team the pole position on Sunday. First up was the team of throttleman Steve Curtis and driver Brit Lilly in the 47-foot Victory cat, Huski Ice Spritz.

In the end, owner/driver Darren Nicholson and throttleman Giovanni Carpitella in their own 47-foot Victory, 222 Offshore Australia , posted the fast number of the day—3:05:85. Tomlinson, who is pulling triple-duty this weekend, joined driver Travis Pastrana and clocked the third fastest time of the day in their 50-foot Victory, Pothole Heroes. The other three Class 1 entries had mechanical issues and didn’t complete a lap.

In the Bracket 500 class, throttleman Elijah Kingery and driver Eric Ullom ran a great race in their 29-foot Warlock, Bulletproof/Team Farnsworth.

Whetting Fans’ Appetites The offshore racing action kicked off at 1 p.m. when the Bracket 500, 600 and 700 classes took to the course. Bracket racing takes a different approach because each class has a set speed limit. If a team exceeds the speed limit, it “breaks out” and is penalized for doing so.

The Bracket 500 fleet had nine teams including two 30-foot Phantoms that racing fans would consider to be favorites. Owner/driver J.J. Turk and throttleman Micheal Stancombe were the defending national champions in TFR/XINSURANCE and when the race started, they had a strong challenge from throttleman Elijah Kingery and driver Eric Ullom in the 29-foot Warlock, Bulletproof/Team Farnsworth, and the father-son team of Rob and Vincent Winoski in their 30-foot Phantom, Bronx Phantom.

Bracket racing is about more than just making sure you don’t exceed your class’ listed speed. It’s about letting your competitors drive away from you when they are going faster in the heat of competition and run the risk of doing just that. That story didn’t pan out because TFR/XINSURANCE pulled off the course with a mechanical problem first, followed by Bronx Phantom.

“We kind of knew that Bronx Phantom broke out because we were at 74.9 mph and they pulled away from us so we backed down a bit to make sure we didn’t break,” Kingery said. “We let them go and then when we saw J.J. break, half a lap later, we could hear Bronx Phantom’s motor starting to break up.”

Enjoy more pictures from the Bracket-class competition in the slideshow above.

This may have resulted in a historical finish with two 29-foot Warlocks finishing first and second in an offshore powerboat race. Hammerheads/Fly SRQ with driver Dennis Austin and throttleman Don Jackson took second followed by YabbaDabbaDo with driver Larry James and throttleman J.D. Ivines in third.

The second start of the day featured a deck-to-deck battle in Bracket 600 between a couple of 26-foot Joker V-bottoms for all five laps on the 6-mile course. George Ivey drove his new boat while Damon Marotta throttled Ivey Racing against a pair of 22-year-olds who have a big future in the sport, throttleman Ryan Stahlman and driver Reef Delanos in Freebird.

The two boats appeared to have a rope connecting their admiships cleats at the start. One took the lead and then the other but in the end Freebird continued its momentum after winning in Cocoa Beach.

“I’m definitely hooked,” said Stahlman, who started navigating in his father’s 41-foot Apache, Predator , last year. When asked what he learned from his race in Sarasota, the youngster said, “How to take corners when you have someone with you like that. You have to hold your lane.”

Finally, in the Bracket 700 class, Brian Guy, owner of the 21-foot Superboat, Jackhammer , gave a performance boat enthusiast the opportunity to check an item off his bucket list.

Instead of racing with his usual throttleman, Julian Maldonado, Guy ran with throttleman Francisco Duran, from San Juan, Puerto Rico, who is close with the Maldonado family.

Jackhammer owner and driver Brian Guy won the Bracket 700-class race with Puerto Rican Francisco Duran, who was racing in the United States for the first time, on the throttle.

“He never raced a boat in the states and he always wanted to do this,” Guy said.

Guy added that he broke a couple blades off his prop on the first lap but could still run about 56 to 57 mph in the class bracketed at a top speed of 60. The battle was behind him as a pair of 22-foot Velocitys powered by single Mercury Racing 300Rs fought for position. In the end, Dees Nuts/Meara Classic Cars took second followed by Statement Marine .

As if letting Duran check an item off his bucket list wasn’t enough, Guy’s five-year-old daughter, Kora, also was on hand to see dad win.

“She helps out and is a big supporter of mine,” Guy said.

That’s something attrition can never take away.

Spectators lined the beach in Sarasota to catch the racing action.

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Sailboats For Sale Florida

20 listings found.

2018 Seaclipper Trimaran 20′

Westerly conway 36

• United States

1984 Herreshoff Tortola-Trawler Nereia 36′ Sailboat

36 Hunter Vision 1993

Hobie Mirage Tandem Island

• Florida , United States

1972 Luders 36 by Cheoy Lee

Tartan 10 Snowballs Chance

• Connecticut

1975 Bristol 32 Sloop, Keel/CB by Ted Hood (Am’s Cup)

• Massachusetts

Used Yamaha 200 HP 4-Stroke Outboard Motor Engine

Used Yamaha 115 HP 4-Stroke Outboard Motor Engine

33ft Blue Water Sailboat

Freshwater Only – 1989 Hunter 33.5 Sloop-Rigged Cruiser, Shoal Wing Keel

F&C 44′ Ketch

Reeds Cub Scow – SOLD

Melges C Scow

470 sailboat and trailer

• Pennsylvania

1978 Hunter 30 Cheurbini

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