Ted Pike Memorial Regatta
Notice of Race
August 3, 2024
Regatta Concept: Ted Pike came across this fun regatta format during a stay in Southern California, where it is popular, and he believed it would translate to our area. He enthusiastically introduced it to the PTSA board in 2016 and was actively planning for it (and had it put on the schedule) when he passed. The high participation, great sailing, and fun partying in the first two regattas proved him right.
The Ted Pike Memorial Regatta is open to all Port Townsend Sailing Association members and invited guests.
All the details are included in the Sailing Instructions but an overview of the concept will help understanding.
There will be two sailing classes, Racing and Cruising, determined by each boats PHRF rating. Any boat that does not have a PHRF rating will be assigned one on the starting beach. The rating break will be determined on the starting beach.
The regatta begins with the boats anchored (or beached), with sails furled, off the beach just south of the stairs down the bluff at Fort Warden. The Skipper (or approved designee) will come ashore by unspecified, non-powered, means and will deposit the entry fee of one pint of quality rum into the Regatta Keg on the beach. This is the only race of the year where a boat’s handicap may depend on the quality of the entry fee. The Race Committee has latitude in tweaking ratings.
After acceptance of the entry fees, the Sailing Instructions are reviewed and skippers are informed of the Course to be raced. The Course, which obviously depends on wind conditions, is intended to be long and complex enough to fully challenge the crews. At the start the skippers will line up on a line drawn in the sand. Then at the starting signal the skippers return to their yachts to up-anchor, raise sail and sail the course (no motors). Crew May Not raise sail or up-anchor until the skipper has made contact with the their boat.
After sailing the course each yacht will finish off the beach at the launch ramp just south of the Northwest Maritime Center and a crew member will come ashore, with their own cup, to test the blend of rum in the keg. Look for the Race Committee with the Keg. Each yachts finish time is recorded after the crew member has a shot of rum and inverts their cup. Water will be provided for non-alcohol racers.
The race is followed by the Awards Ceremony starting at 17:30 at The Port Townsend Sailing Association club house. Bring your own food and drink, we will provide BBQ Grill. Here crews reflect on the race (embellish the “truth”), critique each others’ performance and awards are given while the remainder of the rum in the keg disappears into some of the finest rum drinks to be found.