PHRF Crew Weight Limits...

Over the years, there has been a growing sentiment that equalizing the crew weights would bring about fairer racing.  Today, at many of the major regional and national regattas around the country, weight limits for PHRF competitors are the norm. 

We have made the decision to institute crew weight limits for PHRF competitors at North Sails Race Week this year.  We have decided to start with the weight limits used at Key West Race Week and in numerous PHRF regions across the country. They were developed based on input from  PHRF handicappers and a broad group of boat owners and have been in use in Key West for the past two years. 

The process will be simple and based on the honor system. There will be no weigh in at the regatta.  In the Notice of Race, Part 2 section number 7.2.6, we have given you the weight limit per boat size and the approximate number of crew that matches that weight.  The crew number will vary depending on the weight of your individual crewmembers.

In our earlier communications, we presented adjusting the class splits on criteria other than rating bands. We will take other factors into account, including boat size, displacement and even age (and will continue to include sub classes).  Of course there are other considerations such as number of classes and class size that also play a role. We believe that through these changes and the crew weight limits, that we can create better racing for all PHRF competitors.

As with any change, some will find this more appealing than others. We simply ask that you give it a chance.  As always, we look forward to your feedback on this and other aspects of race week. 

PHRF Focus…..  

We are planning the following changes to the PHRF racing format at North Sails Race Week: 

* creating subclasses within our established PHRF classes based on a boat’s displacement and age.  We did this in class PHRF ‘A’ last year and it resulted in better racing and provided separate scoring for boats that would have otherwise been uncompetitive.

* we will institute a ‘Crew Weight Limitation’ based on boat length, as is used in many parts of the country and in Key West at Terra Nova Trading / Yachting Key West Race Week.  These standard crew weights help to equalize the racing.  Specific details will be in the Notice of Race and on the web site (there will be no crew weigh-in required).

* creation of a “Performance Handicap Pacific Coast Championship”.  This will give everyone in the western US, a centralized regatta to gather and race against like boats. 

We hope that you will come experience our “new” PHRF racing….please mark you calendar for June 28 – 30.

ONE DESIGN FOCUS

Planning for North Sails Race Week ‘2002 is well underway and after several discussions with our one-design classes and Corsair Marine, NSRW ‘2002 looks like it will be bigger then ever.  For example:

*    The J/120 North American Championships will be held as part of this year’s North Sails Race Week. 

*    J/105’s are expecting 20 to 30 boats (11 sailed in 2001).  Between the major growth in the class in Southern California and having boats from Northern California coming south to race, this class will be something special to watch.

A   15 boat, Farr 40 class will create spectacular action and provides for a long list of sailing talent.  Out of state Farr 40’s are expected for the first time at our regatta.

*    Schock 35’s will again have NSRW as their Pacific Coast Championships.  

The J/24 class is returning to NSRW….for their Western Regional Championships.  

For the Melges 24 class, this is the start of an exciting two week period…..NSRW followed by their Pacific Coast Championships sailed on the same venue.  

After making their successful debut at NSRW last year, the Corsair Trimarans will be out in large numbers this year as the factory is committed to creating a true Western Regional Championship for boats west of the Mississippi River (although the east coast boats are invited too!)

The Santana 20 class is expecting to double their numbers over last year’s turnout.

Please continue to check the web site for regatta updates, the Notice of Race, Entry Form, Sailing Instructions and more.

With the continued growth in our one design classes classes, we are looking forward to an even better NSRW in 2002! 

We welcome your comments and feedback, as participant satisfaction is our top priority.  Please feel free to e-mail us at:  nsrw@premiere-racing.com  

We are looking forward to seeing you at North Sails Race Week, June 28-30! 

Best Regards, Bruce Golison  &  Peter Craig

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