The Port Townsend Rigging sponsored 2012 Port-to-Port race is a challenge race between two yacht clubs: The Port Townsend Sailing Association and the Port Ludlow Yacht Club. In the distance past there was likely a moment in some local sailor’s dive where one slightly tipsy resident of one town pointed a finger at the resident of the other town and announced that “you lads can’t sail and your bottom needs cleaning.” No doubt many of the historic races started this way – a drink, a taunt, a trophy. Australia got the Sydney-Hobart, we got the Port-to-Port. It’s our own local version of the America’s Cup.
It’s also a lot of fun. There’s a great party on Saturday night, a long afternoon in the shipping lanes on Sunday where you can settle the boat down and play the current, and a chance to sail against some boats you ordinarily don’t see. This race is for a reciprocal trophy, awarded to the club with the most winners in the top three positions, after corrected time using standard PHRF ratings. The winning club gets to defend the trophy the following year and the trophy currently resides at the Port Ludlow Yacht Club. The race alternates direction annually.
The schedule for this years Port-to-Port race is:
Saturday, May 12th, 5pm. Pre-race Party Beer, wine, and refreshments at the white tent near the marina store in Port Ludlow. Greek dinner of kabobs, salad, baklava to follow. Your RSVP to Kathy Grace is appreciated but not mandatory.
Sunday, May 13th, 1030am. Skippers Meeting at the picnic tables near the Marina store
Sunday, May 13th, 12noon. Race begins in Port Ludlow and finishes in between City Dock and the PTSA racing buoy in Port Townsend
Race documents in downloadable format:
2012 Port-to-Port race instructions PDF
U.S. Coast Guard Keep Clear Handout
