Extending winter racing in south Florida

Published on February 18th, 2021

Following the start of the 300nm Miami to Eleuthera Race on February 17, which is the final event of the four-stage 2020-21 Islands in the Stream Series, the Southern Ocean Racing Conference (SORC) has added a fifth regatta to their winter schedule of racing in south Florida and the Bahamas.

While other events are being canceled around the world, the “Sailor’s Choice Race” offers offshore racing on two different courses, starting and finishing in Fort Lauderdale, FL: a Long Course around Grand Bahama and Great Abaco, and a Short Course around Great Isaac and Ocean Cay in the western Bahamas.

But there’s a twist: competitors may choose to sail either course clockwise or counter-clockwise, depending on weather conditions and navigator know-how. The Sailors Choice Race kicks off March 19th from the Lauderdale Yacht Club. For details, click here.

The winter plan for the 2020-21 Islands in the Stream Series in south Florida and the Bahamas evolved due to COVID-19 restrictions:

2020-21 Islands in the Stream Series
• November 13, 2020: (REVISED) The 79th edition of the Nassau Cup Ocean Race, a 180 nm course from Miami to Nassau, leaving Great Isaac and Great Stirrup to starboard, is no longer possible due to current protocols in the Bahamas. Instead, an ocean race of approximately 178 nm will be held starting in and returning to Miami.
www.nassaucuprace.org

• December 5, 2020: (REVISED) The Wirth M Munroe Palm Beach Race, known as the “Race to the Buffet” to Sailfish Club of Florida’s legendary party, feast and awards presentation, is now a course from Lauderdale to Palm Beach and back.
www.sailfishclub.com/munroe

• January 21, 2021: The series then heads south for some island time with the Ft. Lauderdale to Key West Race. The tropics in January provide the perfect spot to unwind with the Conch Grinder Race, and to enjoy the treasures and pleasures of Key West before the awards party at First Flight Island Bar and Restaurant (formerly Kelly’s Caribbean).
www.keywestrace.org

• February 17, 2021: It all wraps up with another trip to the Bahamas with the 2nd annual Eleuthera Race, starting off South Beach, Miami and finishing at the Cape Eleuthera Resort and Marina.
www.eleutherarace.org

Details: http://www.sorcsailing.org/