Annapolis YC started their Fall Series in 1940 and for many years it was a stopover point for East coast racers migrating south for winter racing in the SORC or Caribbean. This year AYC tweaked the format from three successive days (alternating annually either Saturdays or Sundays) to a distance race on October 2, counting 1.5x plus a two-day weekend of buoy racing. J/30s, J/105s and J/24s raced last weekend during the US Sailboat show while larger one-designs and PHRF boats race this coming weekend.

I bumped into two RC members the other day and told them I was encouraged by the changes and particularly liked the mix of racing and the regatta feel. The NOOD and AYC Fall Series now create three-day events that bookend the season with Annapolis Race Week in the middle. They will probably stick with this format for a couple years. The big boats like it since they have trouble filling their crew the weekend of the boat show when pros are busy working. My one concern is we had eight boats racing Saturday but only five Sunday. I know two of the missing boats could not get enough crew. If you have any thoughts the Race Committee is interested in getting input.

I’ll try to put together a brief write up and post in the events and scheduling forum.