2nd Annapolis Yacht Club Double-Handed Distance Race

Annapolis Yacht Club is pleased to announce the second edition of its Double-Handed Race, which will begin Saturday, October 3 at high noon on the Chesapeake Bay.Hall of Fame sailor Randy Smyth and teammate Christina Persson intend to defend their title in the J/105 one-design class, while Haaland and Andrew Watters will try to repeat in ORC handicap division.

They are among many 2019 participants that plan toregister for this year’s event. R.J. Cooper and Courtney Cumberland, siblings who both competed collegiately at the University of Florida, will be racing aboard a borrowed J/105 for the second straight year.

“We like the double-handed distance racing for several reasons. First and foremost is the versatility it requires –helming, trimming, eating, navigating, thinking strategically, tactics, sail changes. There are a lot of different skills that are required,” Cooper said.

“I like that you are alwaysbusy with meaningful work. There is always something to do.We like the distance aspect as well and the endurance necessary. For sure the racing is challenging –physically, mentally, and emotionally,” Cooper added.

Because of the pandemic, Annapolis Yacht Club has implemented numerous safety measures for its events with the goal of protecting its members, staff, and guests. Double-handed racing is an ideal pursuit during these times as the risk is greatly reduced.

Event chair Kathy Parks said the inaugural AYC Double-Handed Distance Race was enlightening on numerous levels with competitor feedback leading to some subtle changes. While the initial idea was to have the race last for approximately 24 hours with a noon start on the Severn River and a finish in front of Annapolis Yacht Club around the same time the next day, mother nature had other ideas.

Conditions resulted in predominantly windward racing with the fleet beating down the Chesapeake Bay to Hooper’s Island Light then beating on the returntrip as well. Along the way, the wind dropped out and the 17 boats were becalmed for almost five hours.

Race committee officials were forced to finish the fleet off Poplar Island, resulting in the ORC class sailing approximately 97 nautical miles and the J/105 class covering about 82. The original course set forth in the Sailing Instructions was 119 nautical miles.

“We created a race that featured several mandatory turning marks. Because the wind shifted 180 degrees, many of those marks essentially became irrelevant,” Parks said. “This year, we’ll have wider legs and we won’t send the fleet all the way to Hooper’s Island. No matter what course conditions, the race will include elements of beating, reaching, and running.”