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ST PETERSBURG, FL
WOMEN'S PERFORMANCE RACE WEEK®

Powered by North U

Welcome to the third American Sailing Women's Performance Race Week powered by North U. Held at the St. Petersburg Sailing Center in Florida this clinic will help you master racing trim, helming, and boat handling. Expert coaches aboard high-performance J/70s will be your guide through practical on-water training and races, coordinated to shoreside seminars, and video reviews.

Mar 24-28, 2025
St PETE, FL
2,490 / person
Race Ready J/70s
5 Day On-The-Water Clinic
Coach Onboard for All 5 Days
Classroom Sessions
Video Debriefs
Full Crew Discounts
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“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
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Performance race week - st PETE

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COURSE OVERVIEW

The Women’s Performance Race Week is a five-day clinic designed to elevate your competitive sailing skills. The curriculum covers essential areas including trim, helming, and boat handling, with special attention given to tactical decision-making, teamwork, and communications. Participants receive hands-on coaching aboard J/70s, applying learned theories through on-water training and races. This practical experience is enriched by comprehensive shoreside seminars and daily video reviews.  You will improve your skills in every facet of racing and become a better, more versatile and more confident racer. 

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.

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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.

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The Boats - J/70

The J/70 is a modern, comfortable, responsive, racing boat; and one of the most popular boats on the racing circuit today.

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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.

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★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"The program was exceptional! The onboard coaches are the best out there and the racing drills help improve your sailing & racing skills. Plus every day is followed up with an extensive review. Whether you want a refresher course, or you want to participate in world-class regattas, this is the program for you."RG & SG ~ Miami, FL

ST. PETERSBURG, FL

Renowned for its glorious weather, St. Pete is a popular destination for racers and host to frequent winter championship regattas. The St. Petersburg Sailing Center location offers easy access waters of Tampa Bay. The combination of consistent wind, warm sunshine, and spectacular marine and coastal beauty make St. Petersburg an outstanding sailing location.
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THE SAILING VENUE

The clinic takes place at the St. Pete Sailing Center, one of the most active sailing facilities in the United States. Operated by the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, the Center is host to numerous regional and national regattas, sailing classes, adaptive sailing, summer camps, youth racing teams, and community sailing memberships open to residents of the Tampa Bay area.

ACCOMMODATIONS

St Pete offers a great selection of restaurants also within walking distance, ranging from casual to fine dining. Download the St. Pete Sailing Center Accommodations Guide. There are several hotels within walking distance, including Hampton Inn by Hilton, Hilton, and AC Hotel, along with some great AirBnB and VRBO options. 
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"This has been an amazing and invaluable experience for me. I learned more than I ever knew there was to learn. The combination of on-the-water sessions and classroom instruction was great. I would highly recommend it to all sailors and teams."L.Q. ~ New York, NY

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.

MONDAY | mar 24

8:30am - 9:15am : Check In / Sign In / Boat Draw

9:30am - 11:30am : Sailing Session

Trim, Boat Handling, Crew Organization
Upwind Trim: Angle of Attack / Depth / Twist
Solo Drills
Windward/ Leeward Loops

11:45am - 1:00pm : Classroom Session (with lunch)

Trim, Boat Handling, Crew Organization
Upwind Trim: Angle of Attack / Depth / Twist
Spinnaker Trim and Handling

1:30pm - 4:30pm : Sailing Session

More Boat Handling and Sail Trim
Trim and Sail Controls, Tacking
Pairs Drills
Upwind/Downwind Boat Handling & Sail Trim

5:00pm - 6:30pm : Welcome Party

TUESDAY | MAR 25

8:30am - 11:30am : Sailing Session

Boat Handling and Sail Trim

Windward/ Leeward Course for Spinnaker Practice

Continued Work on Upwind Trim & Performance

11:45am - 1:00pm : Classroom Session (with lunch)

Starting Strategy and Tactics

1:30pm - 4:30pm : Sailing Session

Starting Drills & Practice
Rolling Starts + Sprint to Ladder Rung
Positioning, Control, Acceleration & Lane-Holding Drills

5:00pm - 6:00pm : Video Debrief

WEDNESDAY | MAR 26

8:30am - 11:30am : Sailing Session

Starting Drills & Practice
Races with Practice Starts
Spinnaker Trim & Handling Drills

11:45am - 1:00pm : Classroom Session (with lunch)

Starting Strategy and Tactics (continued)
Spinnaker Trim and Handling (continued)

1:30pm - 4:30pm : Sailing Session

Races with Practice Starts
Two Rolling Starts Leading into a Race

5:00pm - 6:00pm : Video Debrief

THURSDAY | mar 27

8:30am - 11:30am : Sailing Session

Races with Practice Starts
Two Rolling Starts Leading into a Race

11:45am - 1:00pm : Classroom Session (with lunch)

Upwind and Downwind Strategy & Tactics
Buoy Racing / Point to Point Racing

1:30pm - 4:30pm : Sailing Session 6

Races with Practice Starts
Windward Leeward Races
Open Water/ Point to Point Races

5:00pm - 6:00pm : Video Debrief

FRIDAY | MAR 28

8:30am - 11:30am : Sailing Session

Races with Practice Starts
Regatta (Part 1 of 2)
Coaching Between Races

11:45am - 1:00pm : Classroom Session (with lunch)

Morning Session Video Debrief
Rules & Tactics

1:30pm - 4:30pm : Sailing Session

Regatta (Part 2 of 2)
Coaching Between Races

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/70s

  • 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 10 boats and 40 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 Thursday January 9th, 2025.

Payment Due Dates
All registrations must be paid in full by Thursday January 9th, 2025.

Refunds / Cancellations
Payments/Deposits will be refunded in full if a reservation is canceled before Thursday January 9th, 2025.

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