Thursday Night Races -- May 19 through September 15

2011 marks the 50th year of our Thursday Night Series.  Unlike other races, this one is not scored -- first one over the finish line in each class gets a gun, everyone else gets a horn.  No protests are allowed, though every boat is expected to obey the Racing Rules and do penalties voluntarily if they commit a foul.  

Starting on 5/19, we welcome all for the 1800* starts. A non-spinnaker cruising class starts first, followed by spinnaker boats 26 feet and under, with spinnaker boats over 26 feet chasing the first two. The course is set based on wind direction and strength, followed by finger-crossing to keep the wind steady.

*On August 11 and after Labor Day, the race starts at 1730.

The Notice of Race outlines what the series is all about:

2011thursdaynightnoticeofrace.pdf 

The Sailing Instructions contain the courses, marks, starting sequence detail, and other information racers need:

Thursday_Night_Sailing_Instructions.pdf 

New this year are three special evenings we welcome those skippers who have considered racing but do not feel prepared or comfortable. They will make up our GREEN FLEET on 6/23, 7/7, and 8/4. On each of these evenings skippers and crews will gather for a short "chalk talk," followed by their own coached start and short course (to avoid the noise and confusion of the "big boats.") The aim is to help develop the skills and desire to join in the fun later on.

6/16 is PIRATE NIGHT, with awards for the best costumes and pirate ship decor. (Having a Portland Pirate hockey player aboard in uniform earns extra points.) On 7/14 – JUNIOR NIGHT we give a big "welcome aboard" to our next generation of racers. We are looking for youth drivers, sail handlers and tacticians to guide us around the course. August 4 will be LADIES NIGHT - where we are looking for the females to step up, kick the men aside and show us how the boats should really be sailed. The final Thursday Night Race occurs 9/15.