SPEARHEADING A NEW PERFORMANCE CATAMARAN CLASS

When it comes to offering cutting edge grand prix racing, the Rolex Big Boat Series in San Francisco never seems to skip a beat. This year, the event – scheduled for its 48th edition on September 6-9 – will be adding performance catamarans to the already dense roster of monohulls sailing in IRC and one-design classes. Adding catamarans was inspired by the America’s Cup sailing that has been taking place on San Francisco Bay, and, in fact, the Rolex Big Boat Series will follow an America’s Cup World Series event in August and precede another in October.

“The Rolex Big Boat Series is one of the premier events in the world, and having catamarans included in it for the first time is very exciting for us, especially in light of the interest in performance catamaran racing generated by the upcoming America’s Cup World Series events in San Francisco,” said St. Francis Yacht Club Commodore Peter Stoneberg, who will be racing in the event aboard his ProSail 40 catamaran Shadow. “I love catamarans. You just can’t beat the thrill and adrenaline of racing them on San Francisco Bay, and this year’s Rolex Big Boat Series will be the first premier class regatta that includes a catamaran division.”

According to Staff Commodore of the Bay Area Multihull Association (BAMA) Bob Naber, “The class will enjoy exciting racing, provide viewers with a fantastic experience and show a breed of catamarans that are available to sailors outside of the America’s Cup.” The class will include performance catamarans over 35 feet, with no limitations on technology and design. They will be scored using handicap PHRF ratings issued by BAMA and race on courses similar to those used for America’s Cup racing. — Read on: https://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/12/0816/