Frostbite Series

Dates: March 1 - 8 - 15 - 22 - 29

Skippers meeting 10am on the 1st.

The WINSA sailboat Series Races are open to all keelboats. The purpose of the races is to learn to sail better and to have fun. There are a total of about 40 races each season during which skippers and crews learn to coax the best performance out of their boats.

The racing season begins in March with the Frostbite Series. Start time is approximately 1 p.m. every Saturday throughout March. Usually there are two races each day and the whole series ends up with about eight scores. A Skipper's meeting is held on the first day of the series a few hours before the start of the first race (check our calendar for the exact time) in front of the bulletin board at the Oak Harbor Marina Office. Detailed sailing instructions are distributed at that time, including a chart showing the area in which the courses will be set. Registration and entry fee shall be submitted to the Race Committee prior to the start of the race in accordance with the Notice of Race. The skippers and their crews meet at the Oak Harbor Yacht Club at the end of the day to discuss what they did right and wrong and to socialize. Trophies are awarded for the first, second and third places at the conclusion of the series.

WINSA has a list of members willing to crew in this series if skippers find they need crew, but it is the responsibiity of each Skipper to determine whether these individuals have the qualifications they desire and are comfortable with, i.e. WINSA does not certify the qualifications of the individuals on this "available crew" list even though all have represented to WINSA that they have sailing experience.

Individuals who love the excitement of sailboat racing but would prefer a seat on the Race Committee (RC) boat are encouraged to join WINSA and participate in this series as RC members. RC training is available.

The series is governed by the current Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS), the rules of the Performance Handicap Racing Fleet of the Northwest and the WINSA current Notice of Race. Pacific International Yachting Association safety equipment, as specified in the respective Class Rules, must be carried. This series is a PIYA Cat III event. All those taking part in the racing do so at their own risk and responsibility. The officiating organization is not responsible for the seaworthiness of a boat whose entry is accepted in accordance with RRS Part 1, Fundamental Rule 4.

The PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Federation) scoring system is used for determining winners in all WINSA races. This handicapping system attempts to make all boats equal so that, in the end, it measures the skill of the boats' crews.

Entrants must be a member of PHRF-NW and have a current rating certificate; however, entrants not currently rated may be assigned an interim rating by the Club Handicapper for this series only.

Participation in this event requires Skippers to represent to WINSA that their yacht has liability insurance currently in effect covering property damage, personal injury and death in an amount not less than $300,000 per occurrence, and that the policy covers yacht racing activities, and acknowledges that the decision to enter their yacht and particpate in this race series is solely their own. Participants further agree to be bound by the International Yacht Racing Rules as adopted by US Sailing, including national prescriptions, except as modified by the organizers, and the race notice for this event.

WINSA races are open to all monohull yachts. Entrants need not be members of a recognized Yacht Club. The Race Committee reserves the right to accept or reject any or all entries.