What is an offshore sailboat race?

Dear Curmudgeon: I have seen regatta notices that reference inshore and offshore courses, but it is vague as to what they are. I want to know what I am getting into before I sign up… is there a definition available? – Frustrated with formats

Dear Frustrated: Like pretty much everything in the sport, no. There are national and international federations that could dictate policy, but they rarely legislate beyond the Racing Rules of Sailing (which are no help here). There are inshore races that leave sight of land, but the difference depends on where you sleep. If you didn’t make it home at night, you went offshore racing. Chicago Yacht Club claims their Chicago Mackinac Race is the largest annual offshore sailboat race in the world, with the 2025 edition attracting nearly 300 boats for the 289nm course. However, we doubt there was any sleeping on the Andrews 80 Maverick when they set the monohull course record of 22:24:23 … and the multihull record is faster. Maybe an offshore race requires dinner as a meal.- The Curmudgeon

Editor’s note: Is Chicago Mackinac the largest annual offshore race? Is an offshore race when you have bad food? Send your comments to editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com.