Dear Offshore Racer:
The Corinthian Yacht Club of Portland (CYC) welcomes your interest and invites your participation in the 42nd Annual Oregon Offshore International Yacht Race, scheduled to start Thursday, May 10, 2018. This 193-mile race begins off the coast of Astoria, Oregon, and finishes in the harbor at Victoria, British Columbia.
You may find additional information for the Oregon Offshore race and join the related Google Group at the official race website: http://www.oregonoffshore.org and on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/oregonoffshore/
We are delighted to announce that the 2018 Oregon Offshore is a qualifying race for the 2018 Vic-Maui! See http://www.vicmaui.org for more information about this great race from Victoria, BC, to Maui, Hawaii.
CYC accepts skippers looking for an introduction to overnight ocean racing but trusts that each skipper will independently evaluate the skill of their crew and the preparedness of their yacht. Although there are no formal requirements for skippers and crew participating in this event, CYC recommends that skippers determine the necessary skills and levels of experience when selecting crew. CYC will assist in coordinating with mentors for first time participants. This is designed to pair new Offshore skippers with experienced skippers to allow free flow of questions, answers, hints, and experience. Contact Dennis Damore at (503) 318-6295 or by e-mail at oregonoffshore@cycportland.org to get your questions answered and to get off on the right foot for a successful and safe Oregon Offshore.
Due to the unpredictable and sometimes hazardous conditions that may be encountered off the Washington coast and throughout the course, the following suggestions are offered as guidelines for skills and levels of experience, but all responsibility lies with the skipper and owner to determine the crew’s fitness for this race:
- THE SKIPPER OF THE YACHT SHOULD HAVE COMPETED IN AT LEAST TWO OVERNIGHT OFFSHORE RACES;
- AT LEAST 50% OF THE CREW SHOULD HAVE OVERNIGHT OFFSHORE SAILING EXPERIENCES; AND
- NO LESS THAN TWO MEMBERS OF THE CREW SHOULD BE COMPETENT TO NAVIGATE SUCCESSFULLY WITH A VARIETY OF INSTRUMENTS INCLUDING, BUT
NOT LIMITED TO, A COMPASS, DEPTH SOUNDER, & GPS.
The skipper of each competing yacht will need to demonstrate compliance with the published Safety Equipment Requirements (SER) as established by CYC for the Oregon Offshore, CYC’s Notice of Race (NOR), and prescribed safety issues listed in any supplemental Sailing Instructions (SI). Please see NOR Section 4. If you have questions regarding the SERs or general safety please contact Dennis Damore at (503) 318-6295 or at oregonoffshore@cycportland.org.
All competing yachts, except those in the Cruising Class, are required to have a valid handicap rating certificate for their appropriate class (e.g., PHRF NW, ORC, etc.).
The annual Oregon Offshore Kickoff social will be held on Monday, April 16, 2018 at 1830 hrs. (See NOR for location.) This event is a great opportunity to meet other skippers and crew, fill out your crew roster, help crew find yachts, and firm up to/from transportation issues. Sailpdx.org has a list of crew that has expressed interest in participating in the race, with delivery, as well as available help with Port Angeles Ferry and Victoria travel.
The Skippers’ Meeting will begin at 1800 hours on May 9, 2018, at The Rogue Public House in Astoria, with a weather briefing and announcements of start time, class breakdowns, and other race details. Skippers must check in prior to the Skipper’s Meeting. Details of check in to follow. And of course, the Official 2018 Oregon Offshore t-shirts will be available for sale at both events.
At the finish, crews can look forward to warm towels, champagne, and photos, followed by an excellent dock party, which goes on as long as yachts are finishing. Family and friends are welcome to volunteer to assist with yacht greeting and finish line activities. Contact us for more details at oregonoffshore@cycportland.org. A barbeque will be held on Sunday, May 13, 2018 at 1100 hours, hosted at Royal Victoria Yacht Club. All family and friends are welcome to attend to celebrate the race finish. Transportation to and from the moorage will be provided.
Please note that you must have a valid passport or passport card for traveling to or from the United States
All entries must be received by the Kickoff Party on Monday, April 16, 2018 or postmarked by midnight on that date. If you are coming from out of the area and would like assistance in securing accommodations and moorage, please contact us. On behalf of Corinthian Yacht Club of Portland, we look forward to you joining us for the Oregon Offshore International Yacht Race!
Warm Regards & Fair Winds,
Dennis Damore
2018 Oregon Offshore Race Chair
Corinthian Yacht Club of Portland
865 NE Tomahawk Island Drive
Suite 102, Box 302
Portland, Oregon 97217
