Epic winds expected for 5O5 North Americans

The 5O5 North American Championships comes to San Francisco Bay for four days of competition on August 9-12 in San Francisco, CA. Twelve afternoon races are scheduled on the City Front course alongside host St. Francis Yacht Club and between Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge.

“Given what the wind’s been like for the past two months I think it’s going to blow the dogs off their chains,” said local Mike Martin, one of the seven World Champions who will be competing with team member Adam Lowry. “But 5O5s are super versatile. You can sail them in anything from five knots to 30 knots.”

On Thursday, August 9, a day of buoy races will be capped off by an evening distance run from Golden Gate to the Bay Bridge in the Ronstan Bridge to Bridge, which is also open to other classes, including Hydrofoil kites and windsurfers. Last time StFYC hosted the Championships was in 2009.

Alongside Martin and Lowry, topping the 24 entered teams are Mike Holt sailing with Carl Smit, Ted Conrads sailing with Jeff Nelson, Andy Smith and Rob Woelfel, and current NA champs Howard Hamlin and Andy Zinn. Up and comers Parker Shinn and Eric Anderson have been training out of St. Francis all season and could also have a crack at the title.

A number of past World Champions will also be on the starting line this year, including Holt (2017, 2015 and 2014); Nelson (2009); Lowry (2016); Smit (2017, 2015); Woefel (2014); Hamlin (1999); and Martin (1999, 2009, 2016).

NA details – Entry list – Bridge to Bridge

Source: Amanda Witherell, St. Francis Yacht Club