Guadalupe Island Race to Start March 9
February 13, 2012
Byline: The Log Staff
MARINA DEL REY — The Pacific Singlehanded Sailing Association’s biennial singlehanded and doublehanded Guadalupe Island Race will start March 9 off Marina del Rey.
Skippers normally sail the race keeping Catalina and San Clemente islands to port, then Mexico’s Guadalupe Island to port, and then return north to finish at the East End of Catalina.
The off-wind leg to Guadalupe Island is about 320 miles south. The upwind, rhumb line return leg is about 250 miles, but it can easily exceed 300 miles due to contrary winds.
While the Guadalupe Island Race is a signature event on its own, the race also acts as a qualifier for the Singlehanded Transpac Race, hosted by the Singlehanded Sailing Society. The race is challenging and requires thorough preparation, a well-found boat, and strong seamanship and navigation skills. To qualify for the race, a skipper’s vessel must pass a safety inspection and complete a qualifying offshore voyage of at least 125 miles.
The Pacific Singlehanded Sailing Association’s Bishop Rock Race, Feb. 10, was a qualifying event for the March 9 Guadalupe Island Race.
For more information, visit pssala.com.
