SEATTLE, WA
PERFORMANCE RACE WEEK
Welcome to American Sailing's Performance Race Week powered by North U. Held at the Seattle Sailing Club in Seattle this clinic will help you master racing trim, helming, and boat handling. Seasoned coaches aboard high-performance J/80 will be your guide through practical on-water training and races, shoreside seminars, and insightful video reviews.“Performance Race Week is about getting faster and smarter, and while a sunburn will soon fade, the memories and the lessons will last a lifetime.”
Read the article by Dave Reed from Sailing World
COURSE OVERVIEW
The Performance Race Week is an intense, five-day clinic designed to elevate your racing skills. The curriculum covers every facet of racing, including trim, helming, and boat handling, with special attention given to tactical decision-making, teamwork, and communications. With a coach on board you’ll get close personal attention focused on your particular skills. This practical experience combined with comprehensive shoreside seminars and detailed video reviews, fosters a deeper understanding of racing success.
The Clinic
The clinic teaches refined techniques to transform you from a racer into a winner. Sailboat racing is a complex endeavor drawing upon a broad mix of skills. Every sailor has strengths and weaknesses in their skill set. We’ll improve areas of weakness and build on your strengths to send you home a better, more versatile racer. By having your coach on board we are able to focus on your particular skill set.
The Coaches
North U coaches combine championship racing skills with years of coaching experience. With just four sailors plus a coach aboard each boat you’ll get close personal attention. Just to be clear: The coaches will NOT be sailing the boats. You and your team do all the sailing.
The Boats - J/80s
The J/80 is a comfortable, responsive, stable, high performance racing boat that features a large open cockpit with plenty of room for each crew member to do their job. It has a retractable bowsprit, a transom-hung rudder, fin keel, and large fractional rig. The sail plan includes a full-batten main, furling jib, and asymmetric spinnaker. The full range of sail controls and responsive design allow you to learn the impact of changes in trim on speed, balance, and pointing.
The Books
Performance Racing Trim and Performance Racing Tactics are the best sailboat racing textbooks out there. Written by North U Director Bill Gladstone, and packed with illustrations, and practical techniques, they make the perfect companion to this clinic. The books are NOT included with the class. If you don’t already own them, they are available at a 15% discount to participants. Details will be sent in the registration confirmation email.
Seattle, WA
Nestled between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, Seattle boasts an extensive network of navigable waters and challenging open-sea experiences. The city's geographic positioning exposes it to steady winds, ensuring that sailors of all skill levels can find the perfect conditions to hoist their sails. Seattle's temperate climate allows for an extended sailing season, making this the perfect destination to enjoy relatively mild weather and favorable wind patterns. The natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest coastline, with its lush evergreen forests and dramatic mountain backdrops, provides a breathtaking panorama for sailors as they navigate the waters.
Seattle, with its unique blend of charm, is the ideal place to indulge in savory seafood and experience the urban-meets-nature vibe, all set against the backdrop of the scenic Puget Sound.
THE SAILING VENUE
ACCOMMODATIONS
A diverse array of accommodation options surround the Seattle Sailing Club, from quaint bed and breakfasts to upscale hotels and waterfront vacation homes. We suggest selecting a place to stay within the charming Ballard neighborhood for a brief and scenic commute to the Seattle Sailing Club each day!
If you’re considering sharing accommodations with other sailors please let us know and we can put you in touch with other sailors in the same situation.
The Schedule
The clinic starts at 8:30am on Monday so plan to arrive at least 1 day before. If your schedule permits, try and arrive a few days early to allow for unanticipated travel delays and to ensure you're ready to sail on day one! The clinic concludes around 6:00pm on Friday so we recommend planning to depart the following day at the earliest.
WEDNESDAY | Sep 18
8:30am - 9:15am : Check In / Sign In / Boat Draw
9:30am - 11:30am : Sailing Session
11:45am - 1:00pm : Classroom Session (with lunch)
1:30pm - 4:30pm : Sailing Session
5:00pm - 6:30pm : Welcome Party
THURSDAY | SEP 19
8:30am - 11:30am : Sailing Session
Windward/ Leeward Course for Spinnaker Practice
11:45am - 1:00pm : Classroom Session (with lunch)
1:30pm - 4:30pm : Sailing Session
5:00pm - 6:00pm : Video Debrief
FRIDAY | SEP 20
8:30am - 11:30am : Sailing Session
11:45am - 1:00pm : Classroom Session (with lunch)
1:30pm - 4:30pm : Sailing Session
5:00pm - 6:00pm : Video Debrief
SATURDAY | SEP 21
8:30am - 11:30am : Sailing Session
11:45am - 1:00pm : Classroom Session (with lunch)
1:30pm - 4:30pm : Sailing Session 6
5:00pm - 6:00pm : Video Debrief
SUNDAY | SEP 22
8:30am - 11:30am : Sailing Session
11:45am - 1:00pm : Classroom Session (with lunch)
1:30pm - 4:30pm : Sailing Session
5:00pm - 6:00pm : Debrief & Prize Giving
The Details
What's Included
5 Days of Sailing + On The Water Training
A Coach On Each Boat
Race Ready J/80
Classroom Sessions + Video Review
5 x Lunches + 1 x Dinner
ASA 111 Certification
What's Not Included
- Travel & Accommodations
- Other Meals
- Personal Sailing Gear
(bring your PFD and Racing Watch)
REQUIREMENTS
Strong Sailing Skills
Some Racing & Spinnaker Experience
- Ability / Agility to Sail on an Active 24-foot Boat.
CAPACITY
- Space is limited to 8 boats and 32 sailors.
- Sign up individually, as a group, or full crew of 4.
Pricing
$2,490 - Individual Sailor
$9,360 - Team of Four (save $150 per person)
Risk Free Registration
Pay a $500/person deposit to reserve your space today and your payment will be fully refundable until July 18th, 2024.
Payment Due Dates
All registrations must be paid in full by July 18th, 2024.
Refunds / Cancellations
Payments/Deposits will be refunded in full if a reservation is canceled before July 18th, 2024.
