The Women on Water Series is just around the corner. Five races are scheduled for July 17 & 18 on the MdR Olympic Circle in this event which is co-sponsored by SBYRC, Marine Venice Yacht Club and the Women’s Sailing Association of Santa Monica Bay. Three divisions are offered to provide fair competition for racers with a wide range of experience: (1) the Women on Water ("WOW") division for all-women crews sailing in spinnaker class; (2) the Woman at the Helm division for a woman driver with men and/or women as crew sailing in spinnaker class; and (3) the Woman at the Helm division for a woman driver with men and/or women as crew sailing in non-spinnaker class. PHRF classes will be established for both the WOW and the Woman at the Helm divisions, although one design fleets with a minimum of four entries are eligible for a separate class trophy. Additionally, the overall winner of the WOW division will be awarded the Robert S. Wilson Perpetual Trophy which has been given to the top women’s sailing team in Santa Monica Bay for the past twenty years.

Enthusiasm for this year’s event is high and we expect participation to exceed last year’s turnout when 22 boats competed in the three classes. This fun series provides a great opportunity for our women racers to improve their sailing skills and to challenge themselves to compete at a new level. While the competition can be intense, the emphasis is on learning, so why not recognize the contribution of one of your female crew members by offering them the helm for the week-end! A Notice of Race is available on this site and the Sailing Instructions will be available on July 10.

The OTW racing is only half the fun. Post race hospitality will be held both days at MVYC with videos of the racing action, gourmet refreshments and a daily crew raffle which gives everyone a chance to be a winner regardless of their on the water performance. The raffles would not be possible without the generosity of local merchants so be sure to let them know that you appreciate their support for our events: