Fourteen experienced race officers from around the Northwest participated in a US Sailing two-day advanced race management seminar hosted by Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle on the last weekend of February.

Seminar partipants at CYC’s Shilshole clubhouse

Instructors Mark Townsend, Leslie Keller, and Brian Watkins lead the group through all topics of race management including the responsibilities of the race committee, writing sailing instructions, setting courses and starting and finishing lines, and handling unplanned or imperfect situations.  Because the participants were all experienced race officers, the conversation tended to include questions and insights from instructors and participants alike.

At the end of the seminar, participants took the advanced test that is required to qualify for US Sailing Club, Regional, or National Race Officer level certification.  As a result of the course, there will be several new certification holders throughout the region from Bellingham to Portland.

The course also helped establish a connection between race officers so they can help each other out when they have time to lend a hand or need additional experienced volunteers when they bring a big event into the area.

The presenters and participants would like to thank CYC for hosting the event and Joe James for hosting on behalf of CYC.  Joe prepared food and snacks and even helped with the occasional observation from his experience as a US Sailing Senior Judge.

The two-day advanced course can be arranged locally whenever there is enough interest, perhaps again in the next year or two.  A similar one-day course is also available for race committee volunteers of all experience levels, including beginners, and runs every 12 to 18 months in the Northwest.  The one-day course includes an optional test required to qualify for US Sailing Race Officer certification.  The next one-day course will be hosted by Seattle Yacht Club on March 27 and is open to members from all clubs.

Article by Brian Watkins