Notice of Race

February 7, 2024

Welcome to the Frostbite Pursuit Series, a unique set of events held during the chilly season aimed at keeping our passions for sailing alive. Each race will be followed by a social gathering where participants can enjoy a feast corresponding to the theme of the race.  The required entry fee, per captain, is to contribute food that compliments the theme, but any contribution – as simple as a bag of chips – will do. You can find the themes for each race listed below.

The Race:  This is a pursuit race. Each boat entering the race will receive a “relative time” handicap. In this type of race, the boats start in ascending relative time order, so the starting line is rarely congested and rarely do more than two boats start at the same time. If each boat sails to her handicap, all boats will theoretically finish at the same time (but that rarely actually happens). Additional explanation of the handicap and starting method will be made at the skipper’s meeting if necessary. The course for the race is specified at the skipper’s meeting, but usually consists of a starting line in Brown’s Creek Channel R2 to G2, proceeding to a mark near the causeway (Highway 69), then around Lower Guntersville Light, then to a mark that could be any one of the following: Upper Guntersville Light, Short Creek Light or Seibold Light. The upstream mark is rounded and the finish line is in the vicinity of the starting line. The exact starting line, finish line and the upstream mark will be specified at the skipper’s meeting. The upstream mark that is selected for the race will depend on the expected wind strength. The race committee will attempt to select a mark that will permit a finish approximately two to three hours after the first boat starts.

Handicapping:  The Portsmouth Yardstick shall be employed to handicap this series with spinnaker and headsail adjustment factors. Wind correction factors will not be used. The race committee will determine handicaps for boats that are not listed in the Portsmouth Yardstick.

Calendar of Races:  Events
Fleets: Dinghy & Keelboat
Format:  Pursuit
Entry Fee (mandatory):  Bring Food to share!!!!
Skipper’s Meeting:  1pm
Race Start Time:  2pm
Course:  Will be determined on day of race
Rules:  World Sailing Rules of Racing 2021-2024
Sailing instructions:  BCSA Sailing Instructions
Scoring:  See the BCSA Sailing Instructions  and section 16.5(C) g.

Schedule of Races:  After Party Food Themes:
Race 1: February 10- Soup Night
Race 2: February 18- Italian Night (Excluding Pizza)
Race 3: March 3- Finger Foods