Sailing Regattas 101
By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

This presentation is meant to provide a brief
overview for sailing newbies who may be
interested in learning more about regattas.
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By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

Regattas: The Basics
• A regatta (yacht race) can be a single boat race
or a series of boat races
• Regattas are highly organized events and typically
very structured
• A regatta typically includes social activities in
addition to the race
• A regatta is usually named for the town or place
where the race occurs
By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

Types of Yacht Races
• Harbor or buoy races: Take place in protected
waters and typically last up to a few hours
• Different types of boats are used for buoy
races
• Inshore racing: Not in protected waters but
takes place within sight of land
• Offshore racing: Held over long distances and in
open water
By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

Key Sailing Regulations
• A yacht using sails as motive power on port
tack gives way to one on starboard tack
• The more maneuverable vessel gives way to
the less maneuverable vessel. Smaller vessels
need to stay away from larger vessels
• If a collision is about to happen, both vessels
must avoid each other even if one vessel
would usually take no action
By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

Classes and Ratings
• Many factors affect how fast a boat can go,
including the size of the sail, its length, and the
weight and shape of its hull
• While racing, all boats are required to be of the
same design which is called one-design, or a
handicapping system is used
• A handicapping system is set up by specifying a
normal time for the boat
• The boat is timed during its race, and the time is
then adjusted based on the handicap
By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

Regatta Organizers
• Regattas can be organized by yacht clubs, classes, or
sailing associations
• Organizers are typically in charge of promotion,
finding sponsors, regatta registration, and running
the actual race
• There are plenty of online event planning websites
for regattas to ease the burden of running races
• Compete-At.com provides a tailored solution for
online regatta management http://www.compete-
at.com/sailing/index.html
By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

Famous Regattas
• America’s Cup
• Transpacific Ocean Race
• National Offshore One Design
• Volvo Ocean Race
• Vendee Globe
• Sydney to Hobart Race
• Rolex Farr 40 North American Championship
• Jaguar Cup Series
• New Zealand Match Racing Championships
By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

Sailing in the Olympics
• Sailing was introduced into the Olympics in 1900
• It was originally for men only
• It is a summer Olympic sport
• A Sailboard class for Windsurfers was introduced
in the 1984 Summer Olympics
By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

Sailing Terminology
• Sailing uses typical nautical terms:
• Starboard means right
• Port means left
• Forward or fore means front
• Aft means rearward
• Rope is the term used for raw material
• A line is a rope used for a particular purpose
on a vessel
By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

Online Resources for Regattas
• http://www.sailing-news.net/
• http://www.sailinganarchy.com
• http://www.sailing.org/
• http://www.compete-at-sailing.com
• http://www.asa.com/
• http://www.americascup.com/
• http://www.ussailing.org/
• http://twitter.com/SailingScoop
By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

Regatta Online Registration
• Many regattas and yacht clubs use an online
registration solution to keep track of all the
registrants, boat information, requirement forms
and crew information
• Compete-At has a tailored, turn-key platform for
sailing: http://www.compete-at.com/sailing/
index.html
By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations

Content Credits
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yacht_racing
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regatta
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Sailing_at_the_Summer_Olympics
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By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Event Planning Software for Regattas, Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations