Rolex and yachting
A shared horizon
A partnership going the distance.
Yacht clubs, renowned sailors, iconic offshore races and some of the most celebrated regattas. For almost 70 years, Rolex has forged strong relationships with the world of yachting. A prominent yacht racing partner, the brand shares the common pursuit of excellence and a passion for premium performance with major custodians of the sport’s enduring spirit.
Premier crewed yacht races
Rolex partners some of the top crewed coastal regattas and offshore races. The brand is associated with numerous annual and biannual coastal regattas all over the world. It is Official Timepiece for two such championships that are at the cutting edge of nautical technology: SailGP, featuring the planet’s fastest catamarans, and the 52 SUPER SERIES for high-performance TP52 monohulls. Rolex also partners prestigious offshore races, such as the Rolex Fastnet Race, the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the Rolex Middle Sea Race.
Yacht clubs Vital to the future of sailing
Rolex is committed to continuously supporting the most dynamic yacht clubs, institutions essential to the evolution of sailing that help perpetuate and develop the discipline in equal measure. These clubs are a harmonious blend of tradition and progress, organizing regattas and offshore races of global importance.
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Precision as a requisite
Chronometric precision is a vital part of navigation, essential for determining exact location. Sailors have, therefore, always sought to equip themselves with the most accurate instruments available, a quest that has extended to competitive yachting. Starting strongly, coordinating crews, optimizing boat trajectories; precision is crucial at every stage of the race.
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Rolex and Yachting
As the crown in sailing for almost 70 years, Rolex has forged strong relationships with yachting through its support of the most influential yacht clubs, sailors, races and regattas. Sharing the highest standards of excellence and passion for premium performance with these custodians of the sport's enduring spirit, Rolex is a leading and trusted partner.
ROLEX TP52 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
July 15 - 20, 2024 | Newport, United States
Rolex and SailGP
MAXI YACHT ROLEX CUP
ROLEX SWAN CUP
Rolex Middle Sea Race
Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
ROLEX FASTNET RACE
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Loro Piana Giraglia 2024
On July 11, 1953, along the Cannes-La Giraglia-Sanremo triangle, 22 boats started and 17 crossed the finish line, competing over the 196-mile course of the first edition of the Giraglia. For the record, the first Giraglia was won by a French boat with a real-time of 31 hours. The following year, the start and finish ports were reversed, the number of entrants reached 31, and the Giraglia rock remained unchanged. ’For lack of alternatives,’ it became one of the landmarks of world yachting. Over the years, this offshore race increasingly took on mythical dimensions. The navigation combines technique and poetry, and over the years, it has become a sort of sailing maturity for many young enthusiasts. ’I did it too’ becomes an important medal on every sailor’s chest. Over the years, the number of participants has increased inversely proportional to the times taken to complete the course. The current record for boats on the starting line is from 2016, with as many as 302. Meanwhile, the lowest time belongs to Igor Simcic’s yacht Esimit Europa 2, which in 2012 broke the previous record with a time of 14 hours, 56 minutes, and 16 seconds. The format has remained more or less the same; in the 1970s, the participating boats were always more than 100, even 150. These are extraordinary numbers considering the niche of yachting; until the 1990s, the starting and finishing locations alternated between Italy and France. Participating remained a semi-adventure in an era when the entire crew slept on board and took part in the boat transfers. The Giraglia witnessed the transition from wood to fiberglass, with boats becoming increasingly lighter and more sophisticated, and with faster passages. Since 1998, the format has remained unchanged: meeting in Saint Tropez around mid-June, three days of coastal races in the splendid gulf, a beach party for all participants on the eve of the offshore – always memorable – and departure in the morning for the ’long’ 241 nautical miles that, today as then, ends in Genoa with the obligatory passage of the Giraglia islet, just as imagined back in 1952. But with the 70th anniversary milestone, reached last June, the Giraglia is changing its attire once again, and with the arrival of a new and prestigious title sponsor like Loro Piana, it adds another piece to a regatta that increasingly resembles an event. The days of inshore races are extended to 4, and the regatta village is expanded to create even more camaraderie during the days in Saint-Tropez.
LORO PIANA GIRAGLIA 2024 - The Final Cut
Prizegiving
Latest news.
Press Release 13/06/2024
Press release 14/06/2024
Photogallery Offshore race Start
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Organizing authority.
In cooperation with
Yacht Club Sanremo
Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez
Yacht Club de Monaco
Under the Aegis of
Federazione Italiana Vela
Fédération Française de Voile
Under the Patronage of
Yacht Club de France
Yacht Club Sanremo
Yacht Club Monaco
Union National pour la Course au Large
International Maxi Association
Ville de Saint-Tropez
Technical Sponsors
Title Partner
The nations trophy Swan One Design
Published on August 23rd, 2023 | by Assoc Editor
Big Boat Series: Expect legendary
Published on August 23rd, 2023 by Assoc Editor -->
Rolex Big Boat Series, the premier racing event on San Francisco Bay since 1964, is once again set to deliver a legendary experience for sailors: epic conditions over four days of racing, dynamic racecourses managed by a world-class race committee and memorable post-racing parties hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club.
Competitors and spectators converge on San Francisco Bay September 14-17, 2023, to enjoy this second-to-none racing destination. For skippers eager to join the action, the window for entries closes at 2100 hours on Thursday, August 31.
“There is no better way to complete the summer racing season on San Francisco Bay than to race in this outstanding event which is held in high esteem throughout the west coast and beyond,” says Beau Vrolyk, 2023 Commodore of St. Francis Yacht Club.
So far, over 75 boats are registered to compete in five divisions: J/88s, J/105s, Express 37s, Classics, and a handicap fleet racing under Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) rules. Competitors will be vying for Rolex timepieces in select classes, and six perpetual trophies are up for grabs.
The J/105s will also be competing for the PICYA Jesse L. Carr Perpetual Captain and Crew Trophy; and the Rolex Big Boat Team Trophy will be awarded to three boats with the highest cumulative placement. The trio must be comprised of an ORC entry, a one-design entry and a third from any class. The 2022 Team Trophy winners J/120 Peregrine, J/105 Niuhi and Cal 40 Viva are all returning to defend the title.
J/105s With 31 boats registered to date, the J/105 class will be the largest fleet and remains as competitive as ever. Previous class winners Blackhawk (2019 and 2021) and Niuhi (2022) both return, as does Arbitrage, which placed third last year. Peaches, owned by John and Michael Rivlin, is another to watch, taking fourth in 2022 and currently placing in the top of the fleet at most 2023 regattas. Scott Sellers, Harrison Turner and Geoff McDonald, a trio of skippers who dominated the J/70 fleet last year, have opted to race the J/105 Beast of Burden this year. They acquired the boat, formerly called Jam Session, last winter, and are looking forward to the change.
J/88s In the J/88 class, 2022’s frontrunner Split Water returns to defend its title, joined by newcomers Fly and Speedwell, which is raced by Tom Thayer and Robert Milligan. The pair previously owned a J/70 and prior to that, Thayer owned a Farr 40 and two J/105s. Thayer’s first Big Boat Series was in 1989 and he’s raced nearly every edition since then.
“We bought Speedwell a few months ago and have been spending most of our free time getting her fixed up for racing. RBBS will really be our coming out party,” Thayer said. “I like the one design racing, the great group of owners that have chosen to race the J/88, and the small-boat feel and planing capability integrated with big-boat controls.”
ORC DIVISIONS Within the ORC handicap division, plenty of opportunities for duels are shaping up: Zach Berkowitz’s Feather and Tom Hutton’s H-Pod in the J/100s; Octavia, Oaxaca and City Lights in the Santa Cruz 50/52s; J/120s Chance and Peregrine; Cape 31s M2 and Full Send; Cal 40s Sea Star and Viva; and J/111s Swift Ness and Skeleton Key, the latter of which is skippered by Peter Wagner, who just won the J/111 North Americans.
Don Jesberg won the Cal 40 class aboard Viva in 2022, and this year will be competing in ORC with most of the same winning crew, “a star-studded group who loves sailing together,” including Matt Frymier, Steve Marsh, Ethan Doyle, John Bonds, Jimmy Franzone and Jeff Mulvihill.
“Racing in ORC will be completely different. The competition will be unknown because we don’t know how the rating system will treat the different designs—it’s a bit of a wild card, but we had so much fun last year, and my crew wanted to do it again,” said Jesberg.
Another top contender, David Halliwill has been sailing the J/120 Peregrine since 2010. He raced Big Boat Series three times in the early ‘80s on other people’s boats and became addicted to big boat competition, tacking duels on the San Francisco city front and podium-finish performances.
“2011 was our first chance to put Peregrine on the start line, having brought her west in winter of 2010 for a refit. We’ve now won RBBS five consecutive years, which I believe is the best performance historically to date of any boat.
“We sail with guys I’ve raced with for several decades on small boats, and now over a decade on Peregrine. It’s a great pleasure to have a platform and a sport where we can almost get the whole gang together, and the J/120s are a tremendously fun and competitive fleet. We’re all getting older though, so let’s hope we’re also getting wiser!”
Barry Lewis, owner and skipper of J/120 Chance will return this year to give Peregrine a run for its money, he’s won Rolex Big Boat Series four times and raced in the event since 2002.
EXPRESS 37s In the Express 37 fleet, 2022 winner Andy Schwenk on Spindrift V returns to defend his title, as does 2021 winner Shawn Ivie on Limitless. They’re joined by Bartz Schneider on Expeditious, who has raced in 35 editions of Rolex Big Boat Series.
CLASSICS In the Classics, Michael Zolezzi’s legendary 8-Meter Yucca returns to defend his title, and new to the fleet is the 57-foot Gesture, a custom S&S owned and skippered by Alex Mehran. Beau Vrolyk will again be racing Mayan, an elegant centerboard schooner built in Honduras in 1947 and rebuilt by master shipwright Wayne Ettel in 2005.
“Mayan has steadily been upgraded to match her original John G. Alden design, and last year was the first year since the early 1950s that she sailed with a gaff foresail,” Vrolyk said. “This year completes her return to original design as we move to 2:1 jibsheets. As always, we hope to do well, but the most important thing is to get around the racecourse safely. These old boats are treasures and we are very careful. After safety, camaraderie and fun come in as close seconds.”
Mayan will sail with a crew of St. Francis Yacht Club members including legendary boat designer Bill Lee, champion navigator Christopher “Lew” Lewis, Greg Meagher, Lance Berc, Nadine Franczyk, Thom Maslow, Cindy Turner and her two young boys, “representing an age spread of 7 to 82, which will be fun.”
Rolex Big Boat Series has always showcased leaders in innovation, from attracting the latest in high-tech sailing vessels and race management strategies, to event operations ashore, which abide by the latest in environmental responsibility practices.
“We encourage competitors to use our water bottle filling stations, we provide recycling bins and we compost everything possible,” noted Meg Ruxton, Sustainability Chair of Rolex Big Boat Series. “We partner with several environmental organizations and this will be our fifth consecutive year achieving Clean Regatta status with Sailors for the Sea.”
Rolex Big Boat Series meets the highest level of recognition from Sailors for the Sea. Goals include eliminating single use plastic, abiding by Green Boating Guidelines, waste reduction via recycling and composting and partnership with environmental organizations.
It bears mentioning that St. Francis Yacht Club takes its post-racing socials seriously. From the Commodore’s Reception kick-off on Wednesday to Friday’s funky outdoor Mount Gay food truck party to the intimate Rolex Owners Dinner and the Crew Dinner hosted in the elegant Main Dining Room—not to mention free dockside beer every day after racing—there is something for everyone.
Enter now for world-class racing and epic parties at the 59th edition of the Rolex Big Boat Series.
Event information – Race details – Entry List – Facebook
Source: event media
Tags: Big Boat Series
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Ending summer season in San Francisco →
Big Boat Series: Registration open →
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Rolex Middle Sea Race
About the Race
The Rolex Middle Sea Race was created as the result of sporting rivalry between two British yachtsmen residing in Malta, Alan Green and Jimmy White, and two Maltese sailors, Paul and John Ripard, both members of the Royal Malta Yacht Club.
Alan (who would go on to become Secretary of the Royal Ocean Racing Club) and Jimmy originally proposed a racecourse that was longer than typical in the region, and one designed to offer an exciting competition in windier autumn conditions. The initial suggestion was for a course that would start in Malta and finish in Syracuse, Sicily, in one year and then start in Syracuse and finish in Malta, the next.
The Rolex Middle Sea Race course is approximately 606 nautical miles long and is sailed anti-clockwise, starting from Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta.
Capo Passero
Messina strait, pantelleria.
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Check out the latest entries in the 2024 Rolex Middle Sea Race
Results and transit information from the Rolex Middle Sea Race
For results and other information prior to 2023 please visit the Archive Site
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Owners and crew may use this area to find individuals and opportunities.
The Royal Malta Yacht Club accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of the yacht descriptions or the qualities of the individuals listed.
It is the user's sole responsibility to check the suitability and experience of the boat and crew.
Royal Malta Yacht Club
The Royal Malta Yacht Club history dates back to the early 1830s, making it one of the oldest yacht clubs in the Mediterranean. Initially established around 1835 as the Malta Yacht Club by a group of British naval officers stationed in Malta , the Club was granted a Royal Charter by Queen Victoria, becoming the Royal Malta Yacht Club. This marked an important milestone in the club's history and solidified its reputation as a prominent institution.
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the RMYC focused primarily on organizing regattas and races in Malta's coastal waters. These events attracted sailors from various backgrounds and helped to develop the sport of sailing in the region. Like many institutions, the RMYC faced challenges during the two World Wars. Activities were scaled back, and the club's premises suffered damage. However, the club managed to rebuild and continue its operations after each conflict. In the latter half of the 20th century, the RMYC underwent significant growth and modernization. The club's facilities were expanded, including the construction of a new clubhouse in the 1970s, which provided improved amenities for members.
In recent years, the RMYC has gained recognition as a host for prestigious international sailing events. It has organized several world-class regattas, including the Rolex Middle Sea Race, which attracts renowned sailors and sailing enthusiasts from around the globe. The RMYC has been actively involved in promoting sailing and developing the sport in Malta. It offers sailing courses, training programs, and youth initiatives to encourage the participation of young sailors and foster a love for sailing. Throughout its history, the Royal Malta Yacht Club has maintained its commitment to the sport of sailing, fostering a vibrant sailing community in Malta and establishing itself as a prominent institution in the yachting world.
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Modern sailing team to race in the 2023 rolex big boat series.
September 6, 2023
Modern Sailing is excited to announce that we have entered a boat and team to compete in the 2023 Rolex Big Boat Series!
The San Francisco Bay is a world-class racing venue and the Rolex Big Boat Series is among the most iconic races, attracting top sailors from around the globe. Modern Sailing has made this elite competition accessible to club members with the desire to compete among the best sailors in the world.
J/88 Fly will be raced by crew who were selected by our Racing Program leaders based on their participation and contributions to the Modern Sailing Racing Program.
Meet the Modern Sailing Rolex Big Boat Series J/88 Team!
The crew will be lead by Captain Katie Cornetta , a Modern Sailing racing coach and an experienced professional sailor. As a member of high-performance race teams in countless races including several past Rolex Big Boat Series, Katie is ideally suited to lead the Modern Sailing team in an exciting competitive experience.
Modern Sailing 2023 Rolex BBS Team.jpg
Ron Clark - Bow
"Thanks to Katie Cornetta's individualized coaching, effective teaching style, and deep racing experience, this long-standing dream has been made a reality for the six of us participating in this year's Rolex Big Boat Series. If you have even the slightest curiosity about racing the Bay, do yourself a favor and come racing with Modern Sailing!"
Ron Clark 2023 Rolex BBS Team.png
John Erickson - Bow
"I’ve been with Modern Sailing for 9 years and racing with Modern since 2016. I was very active in the race program pre-pandemic where we did well and made 'good mistakes.' Without the instructors' inspirational coaching I wouldn’t be on the Rolex Big Boat racing team. [Racing program coaches] Sean and Carmen were exceptional - they reawakened my sailing spirit. When we got the J/24 close-hauled, balanced, and lifted, I was hooked. Sean’s seamanship and Carmen’s boat handling skills specifically showed me a path forward. I am grateful. I look forward to our new boat and new team as we choreograph our way through the wind and the water."
John Erickson 2023 Rolex BBS Team.png
Camille Moussette - Jib
"I started taking sailing courses with Modern Sailing in 2020, and got into racing in 2022 on the J/70 and J/105 in Puerto Vallarta and around the SF Bay. I recently participated in two distance races on the Great Lakes: Bayview to Mackinac in 2022 (first place in our category!), and Chicago to Mackinac in 2023 (finished second). I've really enjoyed joining Katie's racing clinics from Berkeley on the J/105 fleet. I've started double-handed racing on my own boat this year, and love the challenges of racing in the bay with a limited crew under difficult conditions. I'm very excited to be joining the Rolex BBS with Katie and Modern Sailing, and being able to learn and refine my racing skills with a great crew."
Camille Moussette 2023 Rolex BBS.png
Barbara Briner - Spinnaker
"I am thrilled to crew on Fly for this year’s Rolex Big Boat Series. For the past few years, I have learned the ropes in Modern Sailing’s racing program and crewed in many beer cans and other casual races. Apart from the Three Bridge Fiasco, this will be my first big event. I am very excited to be part of this team!"
Barbara Briner 2023 Rolex BBS.png
Tom Richman - Helm and Owner of Fly
"Taking classes from Katie has opened a much bigger racing world. The J/88 is a rocket. Flying the kite in 28 knots through Golden Gate with the boat planing at 18 knots really focuses the mind! You can't worry… you’re simply alive. There aren’t many places where you can get that feeling! Competing in the Rolex Big Boat Series will be a big challenge and adventure for all of us."
Tom Richman Tim Kordas Camille Moussette 2023 Rolex BBS Team.png
Tim Kordas - Mainsail
"I got involved with racing through Modern’s racing program some years ago. I really enjoy the structure of having a particular day/time to get out on the water with a group of sailors all trying to improve our skills, but in a slightly different context than a sailing class.
"My favorite summer races have been the Corinthian Beer Cans: the challenging currents and courses' wind-shadowed start/finish make for really interesting, if humbling, sails.
"When Modern brought the racing program to the J/105s in Berkeley, I was very excited for the more sporty boats and convenient location (I live in Berkeley).
"I’ve sailed a few summer seasons out of Sausalito on the Catalina 320s, and now two summers out of Berkeley on the J/105s. Recently, I have also crewed for a handful of J/105 Fleet-1 races.
"I have sailed aboard the J/80, but never aboard a J/88. I am very excited to crew the Rolex Big Boat Series, and expect to learn a lot through the practices and race days on a boat that is new to me."
Tim Kordas 2023 Rolex BBS Team.png
Does the idea of racing appeal to you? Yes, it's exhilarating - and one of the best ways to build your sailing skills fast! Learn More about Modern Sailing's Racing Program .
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Testimonials.
Since many, many years, I had the dream to sail underneath the Golden Gate bridge. On October 14th last year, my dream became true. Thanks to our dear friend Aaron Fritz who made it possible and organized this cruise for us. With this adventure I was able to achieve one more milestone on my sailing career.
Finally on the water, it was great! Full moon made the flows even stronger and it was like sailing in a washing machine.
I did my sailing education in the English Channel, where the situation with the wind and flows is comparable to the San Francisco Bay. So I felt pretty much "at home" being on the helm in the Bay.
I hope our skipper Stan Lander enjoyed this day cruise too. We, definitely did! It was an unforgettable experience for all of us.
A very big thank you to all of you who made it possible, that my dream became reality! Also thank you for the MSC flag I got at the end of the day. It found it's place in my study, where I can see it daily.
The vessel was clean and in fine condition - very nice boat for training, well-equipped.
Every aspect of Modern Sailing - training, syllabus, course materials, quality of the boats, quality of the instructors, and the very friendly and helpful staff - exceeded my expectations. Modern Sailing has a first class sailing program in an environment with challenging winds and currents. I look forward to coming back to charter a boat and certainly plan to continue my sailing training.
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Sausalito Location 2310 Marinship Way, Sausalito, CA 94965 (415) 331-8250 (800) 995-1668
Berkeley Location 1 Spinnaker Way, Berkeley, CA 94710 (415) 331-8250 (800) 995-1668
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LatiNxt August 24 & 25 | Free
Join us for the free two-day festival LatiNxt, Navy Pier’s annual celebration of modern Latin music and arts! Curated in partnership with Future Rootz .
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June 17, 2023 @ 2:30 pm
Rolex United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago at Navy Pier
Please be aware that the content on this webpage was authored more than 6 months ago, so some information may be outdated or no longer accurate. Please visit our event calendar for information on current events.
ROLEX UNITED STATES SAIL GRAND PRIX CHICAGO AT NAVY PIER Friday, June 16 – Saturday June 17
The thrilling speeds and action-packed excitement of SailGP return to Chicago’s Skyline Stadium for the Rolex United States Sail Grand Prix | Chicago at Navy Pier, June 16-17, 2023 !
The fan-focused, two-day spectacle of exhilarating races will take place immediately adjacent to Navy Pier as nine national teams, including Jimmy Spithill’s United States team, battle it out in short, intense races competing on the F50 catamaran – a race boat that “flies” out of the water and can reach speeds in excess of 60 mph !
Navy Pier will be transformed into the SailGP Race Village featuring stadium viewing – the only way to watch the racing from land – with tickets starting at $35 .
Buy Tickets Now
General Admission $35 This ticket offers access to the SailGP Race Village at the east end of Navy Pier, immediately adjacent to the racecourse at the United States Sail Grand Prix | Chicago with sweeping views of the racing and iconic Chicago skyline. Tickets for youth 6-12yr are $20. Entry for kids 5 and under are free. Buy adult tickets from $35
Waterfront Seating $75 This ticket offers bleacher seating at the east end of Navy Pier immediately adjacent to the racecourse at the United States Sail Grand Prix | Chicago. This ticket also includes exclusive access to the closest landside seats from which to experience the racing. Buy tickets from $75
On Water Premium Seating Join us on the water for the SailGP: United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan. This ticket offers a custom lunch menu, a premium open bar, and unbelievable views of the event. Book On Water Premium Tickets
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600 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611
Supreme Racing Conditions for Day One of the 2022 Rolex Big Boat Series, hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club
The weather gods delivered plenty of get-up-and-go on the first day of racing at the 2022 Rolex Big Boat Series, running September 14-18 at St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, California. Morning conditions were moderate for the 76 boats gathered for the West Coast’s most competitive regatta, pressing their sails in 8-12 knots of breeze and flat seas. Conditions built to 20-22 knots raising white caps against the flood tide for the day’s second race, giving all teams the opportunity to air out their sail inventories and lock in for what promises to be three more fantastic days of racing in the country’s greatest natural sailing amphitheater.
While all classes are highly competitive, from the eight-strong J/70 class to the five stately Classics, the two handicap classes present some interesting match-ups. Last year while still racing under the ORR rule, the decision was made to split the handicap fleets based on their sailing characteristics, rather than their waterline metrics. Boats with planing capabilities and enough sailcloth to properly light up the afterburners were sorted into one class, while the other class was comprised of displacement keelboats that show plenty of authority to the weather when sailing uphill.
The regatta employed this same handicap-fleet division for the 2022 edition while also matriculating from the ORR to the ORC handicap rule. As a result, this year’s ORC A fleet runs the gamut from Chip Merlin’s Bill Lee 68 Custom Merlin to Dave MacEwen’s J/90 Lucky Duck . The former measures 72.5 feet LOA, while the latter measures in at just 30 feet, however both are plenty quick off the breeze, as are the other four boats that comprise this class.
The result was tight corrected-time deltas in both the ORC A and ORC B fleets. For example, ORC A’s first race took roughly 90 minutes, yet the corrected time between the top three boats was less than three minutes apart, using ORC’s heavy-air scoring models.
While the highly pedigreed Merlin attracts plenty of attention on and off the racecourse, Adjudicator , Paul Dorsey’s Carkeek-designed FAST 40 is displaying fine form in her second Rolex Big Boat Series, posting two wins today.
“We’ve been preparing,” says Dorsey of this year’s Rolex Big Boat Series. “Because of Covid, we did 28 days of practice before our first regatta [with the boat]. Before the Rolex Big Boat Series last year, we were probably at 36 days of practice.” Dorsey estimates that his crew, which he describes as a 50-50 blend of pros and amateurs, now have about 100 days on the boat.
“It’s not a huge fleet, but there are a lot of quality sailors,” says Dorsey about the ORC A class. Dorsey points to Daniel Thielman’s Melges 32, Kuai , and Marc McMorris’ Cape 31, M2 , as some of Adjudicator’s biggest competition. “We’re all totally tooled-up and optimized” he says. “Everyone is coming to win.”
When asked about his yacht’s distinctive name, Dorsey explains that it comes from the 2019 neo-noir John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum film. The adjudicator, says Dorsey, is a “very powerful character, everyone understands her authority." Much like Adjudicator’s 1-1 scorecard so far.
Dave MacEwen’s Lucky Duck may be ORC A’s smallest entry, but the boat demonstrated plenty of kick off the breeze in both of today’s races. Interestingly, the J/90 is MacEwen’s inshore boat; his regular ride for the Rolex Big Boat Series, a Rogers 46 also named Lucky Duck , is currently awaiting a new rig after a mishap in the second stage of this year’s California Offshore Week.
“It’s not like you can just buy a new rig in a short time,” says MacEwen, adding that this dismasting created an interesting dilemma for this year’s Rolex Big Boat Series. As a result, the team decided to race the J/90. “The minimum size for ORC is 30 feet or greater—we just barely squeak in,” says MacEwen. “It’s really awesome to participate in this year’s Rolex Big Boat Series, and to keep our program going. I’d like to give a big thank-you to the StFYC for organizing another great Rolex Big Boat Series.”
While Lucky Duck’s entry into this year’s Rolex Big Boat Series might have stemmed from less-than-lucky circumstances, there’s still the matter of completing seven challenging races on San Francisco Bay aboard a boat that only weighs 3,400 pounds. “Most of these boats weigh more, so they have more punch in the chop,” says MacEwen. “Our challenge is to be able to hang reasonably in touch with the boats going upwind so that we can put up the kite and go flying downwind.”
Keeping in touch with the leaders was a more manageable ask in the regatta’s J/70, J/88, Express 37 and Cal 40 One Design classes. Given that these boats are nearly identical within each class, the game became one of nailing the Bay’s hidden escalators, such as the famous Cone of Alcatraz. While these escalators often require local knowledge to properly leverage, the sailors competing in these fleets know these waters well. Still, the day presented plenty of opportunities for skippers willing to withstand short periods of racecourse pain to realize down-the-road returns on their investments.
“We couldn’t have asked for better conditions for the first day of racing,” says Susan Ruhne, Chair of the Rolex Big Boat Series. “The breeze built as the day progressed, and all teams enjoyed exciting race-deck finishes for their second race. This is the kind of sailing that draws competitors back, year after year, and what makes this regatta so special.”
Racing is set to resume on Friday, September 16, at 1100 hours local time.
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ABOUT ST. FRANCIS YACHT CLUB
St. Francis Yacht Club is one of the most esteemed yacht clubs in the world, steeped in tradition and known for innovation. Founded in 1927 with a mission to serve as the inspirational center of boating activities regionally and a leader of yachting internationally, StFYC has hosted many of the most prestigious national and world championships in sailing. With over 40 regattas on its calendar annually, StFYC is widely regarded as having one of the top racing and race management programs in the country. In addition to a worldwide reputation for on-water excellence, StFYC’s clubhouse features outstanding dining, spacious guest docks and panoramic vistas of San Francisco Bay. Each year, StFYC rolls out the red carpet for sailors visiting to compete in Rolex Big Boat Series.
For more information, please visit stfyc.com .
ABOUT ROLEX
An unrivalled reputation for quality and expertise
Rolex is an integrated and independent Swiss watch manufacture. Headquartered in Geneva, the brand is recognized the world over for its expertise and the quality of its products – symbols of excellence, elegance and prestige. The movements of its Oyster Perpetual and Cellini watches are certified by COSC, then tested in-house for their precision, performance and reliability. The Superlative Chronometer certification, symbolized by the green seal, confirms that each watch has successfully undergone tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories according to its own criteria. These are periodically validated by an independent external organization.
The word “Perpetual” is inscribed on every Rolex Oyster watch. But more than just a word on a dial, it is a philosophy that embodies the company’s vision and values. Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of the company, instilled a notion of perpetual excellence that would drive the company forward. This led Rolex to pioneer the development of the wristwatch and numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism, invented in 1931. In the course of its history, Rolex has registered over 500 patents. At its four sites in Switzerland, the brand designs, develops and produces the majority of its watch components, from the casting of the gold alloys to the machining, crafting, assembly and finishing of the movement, case, dial and bracelet. Furthermore, the brand is actively involved in supporting the arts and culture, sport and exploration, as well as those who are devising solutions to preserve the planet.
ABOUT ROLEX AND YACHTING
A Natural and Supportive Partner
Rolex has always associated with activities driven by passion, excellence, precision and team spirit. The Swiss watchmaker naturally gravitated towards the elite world of yachting six decades ago and the brand’s enduring partnership now encompasses the most prestigious clubs, races and regattas, as well as towering figures in the sport, including ground-breaking round-the-world yachtsman Sir Francis Chichester and the most successful Olympic sailor of all time, Sir Ben Ainslie. Today, Rolex is Title Sponsor of 15 major international events – from leading offshore races such as the annual Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race, to grand prix competition at the Rolex TP52 World Championship and spectacular gatherings at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the Rolex Swan Cup. It also supports the exciting SailGP global championship in which national teams race identical supercharged F50 catamarans on some of the world’s most famous harbours. Rolex’s partnerships with the St. Francis Yacht Club, New York Yacht Club, Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Royal Ocean Racing Club, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, Yacht Club Italiano and Royal Yacht Squadron, among others, are the foundation of its enduring relationship with this dynamic sport.
Signature Pages
During the disruption in operations due to the coronavirus pandemic, hardcopy signature pages are not required. The degree recommendation esign form will serve as approval of the final thesis by all committee members.
The thesis PDF should still contain a signature page with typed names (no scanned signatures), and a library authorization with the student's typed name and the date of submission.
Library Authorization Page
Choose the library authorization appropriate for your document type (thesis or field project) and the access level you have chosen. See the sections below on "Templates" and "Embargos and Limiting Access" if needed.
Make sure that your title matches exactly on both pages where it appears, the Committee Signature Page and the Title Page. If your title is long, you may wish to check current cover printing capabilities at Haggard Hall Print and Copy Services to make sure it can be printed on your bound copies.
Format according to the style manual for your discipline.
Acknowledgements (optional)
The language used in the acknowledgement should be consistent with that used in acknowledgements in journal articles in your field. You may use this page to acknowledge those who contributed to the academic endeavors or research of your thesis. Limit the acknowledgements to a single page.
Table of Contents
The first three preliminary pages do not appear in your Table of Contents. The first item to appear should be your Abstract.
Do not include the Table of Contents page in the Table of Contents, but do include the Lists of Tables and Figures. Lists of Tables and Figures should include page numbers.
Supplementary Material
Additional material may be included in appendices or as separate files to be submitted with your PDF. CEDAR can take many file types. Maps, datasets, sound clips, short films, images, and other items can be included. See the CEDAR FAQ for more details.
Margins should be a minimum of one inch on all sides. Use the same margin dimensions throughout the manuscript, except for indented lengthy quotes.
Page Numbers
Page numbers may be located according to the style commonly used in your discipline, or any standard word processor location. The numbers should appear alone, without any bracketing, dashes, etc. Refer to the chart above for numbering requirements.
Choose a font that is clearly legible on screen as well as in print. Font should be 10- to 12-point type. Use the same font throughout the manuscript. You may bold, italicize or underline words where appropriate. Italicized type may not be used for the entire body of the text.
Double space the text. Block quotes may be single spaced. Thesis projects in poetry, mathematics, and music may be spaced as appropriate to the discipline.
Captions should be in the same font as that used in the text. Locate captions according to the publication style you are using.
Section headings must correspond to the Table of Contents. Heading font and location on the page should be consistent throughout the thesis. Ensure that headings appear on the same page as the corresponding text (i.e. watch for headings orphaned at the bottom of pages). Do not use a running head.
Style differs considerably among disciplines, and even among different journals in one discipline. Confer with your thesis chair to select the appropriate style for your thesis, and be consistent with this style throughout your manuscript.
References and Citations
Be consistent in citation and reference style throughout the thesis, according to the style manual you are following. There must be a reference for every citation in the text. The spelling of the author’s name and the publication year must match between the text and reference entry. Multiple citations between parentheses must be in either chronological or alphabetical order.
Western Libraries offers online quick guides to the most common citation styles and other helpful information.
You can use this template as a starting point for your document, or refer to it for instructions and tips on formatting.
The thesis/dissertation template is also available on Canvas along with additional formatting help.
Defenses and Final Submission
Defense notification requirements.
- Schedule your defense with your department
- Submit an Oral Defense Schedule form at least two weeks prior to your defense
- If requested, submit a draft of your thesis or dissertation to the Graduate School one week before your defense date
The Graduate School will announce your oral defense to Graduate Faculty Governance Council. If a Graduate Faculty Governance Council member volunteers to observe your defense, you will need to include that person in your meeting, presentation, and/or video conference. We will ask you to provide a copy of your draft for the representative to review.
Create Your CEDAR Account and Submit Research
- Go to http://cedar.wwu.edu and click “Submit Research” in the sidebar, under Contributors. Follow the instructions to create an account and submit to the WWU Graduate School Collection.
- Use a permanent email address for your account, not your @wwu.edu email address, so that you can keep track of your work after graduation.
- Upload your complete PDF and any supplementary files you wish to include.
Thesis and Dissertation Approval and Publication
Graduate School staff will communicate with you via CEDAR (you will receive emails) about the status of your thesis or dissertation submission and any necessary revisions.
Once your submission has been approved, you will be notified through CEDAR. Your thesis or dissertation will be published and made available right away on CEDAR, as part of the Digital Commons for your discipline, and through Google and Google Scholar.
If you need to delay public posting of your document, or keep access to your content permanently limited, email the Graduate School for options.
Completion of your degree still requires one hardbound copy of your thesis or dissertation for archiving in Special Collections. We do not require original signatures for the bound copy. Once your thesis or dissertation is approved, you will need to place a binding order with Print and Copy Services using the Thesis Order Request Form or Dissertation Order Request Form . This order must be placed and paid before your degree can be awarded. Individual departments may have requirements for additional copies; check with your thesis chair or program adviser if you are unsure.
Instructions for placing your order with Print and Copy Services will be included in your CEDAR approval letter. For assistance with the Thesis Order Request Form, contact Print and Copy Services directly at [email protected] or 360-650-3762
Occasionally a graduate student may need to delay the posting of their thesis or dissertation to CEDAR, or limit the audience to Western students and faculty. There are two options to choose from.
An embargo delays the public release of the document while the author or faculty researcher pursues publication or copyright of the work in the thesis/dissertation. At the end of the embargo period, the document is posted.
To request an embargo, email [email protected] with details. An embargo can be requested for six months or one year, and may be renewed if necessary.
If you might want to renew your embargo, set a reminder on your calendar around the time the embargo is set to expire. Let the Graduate School know if you need to renew.
Campus Only Access
Limiting access to the Western community is a good option for those wishing to preserve First North American Serial Rights (publication rights). A current WWU login is required to view the thesis, and the limited access status does not expire like an embargo does.
To choose this option, use the limited access library authorization form instead of the standard one, and make a note in CEDAR when you upload your thesis. Library authorization forms are available in the Templates section above, and on Canvas.
Forms and Links
Thesis Topic Approval
Dissertation Topic Approval
Research and Writing Studio
Western CEDAR
Print and Copy Services
Thesis Order Request Form
Dissertation Order Form
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IMAGES
COMMENTS
As Official Timepiece or Title Sponsor, Rolex partners major annual regattas, such as the Rolex Maxi Yacht Cup and the Rolex Big Boat Series as well as the biennial Rolex Swan Cup. Rolex also partners two prominent racing circuits: the worldwide SailGP Championship featuring identical foiling F50 catamarans that seem to take flight across the ...
For six decades, Rolex Big Boat Series has been at the forefront of the latest and greatest in competitive yachting. Balancing tradition with progress, this legendary West Coast regatta continues to embrace a spirit of evolution, showcasing the latest in fleet technology and race management. Read. Registration Opens for the 2024 Rolex Big Boat ...
The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is the pinnacle of big-boat racing. The 2019 edition drew a fleet of 53 yachts to Porto Cervo in Sardinia for a week of intense but ...
All you need to know about the 2023 Rolex United States Sail Grand Prix: Chicago at Navy Pier, including Ticket Information, Live Stream and Broadcast Details ... The event-deciding match-up culminated in a slow motion drag race to the finish line, which ultimately saw Peter Burling's crew sneak over the line to take an early lead atop the ...
Geneva, 6 June 2023 - Since its launch in 2019, SailGP has captivated the sailing world. Enthralling and ultra-competitive on the water, the championship has had an equally transformative effect off it. Supported by Rolex as the global presenting partner and Official Timepiece of the series since Season 1, SailGP is at the vanguard of yachting, combining technological innovation with supreme ...
Yacht clubsVital to the future of sailing. Rolex is committed to continuously supporting the most dynamic yacht clubs, institutions essential to the evolution of sailing that help perpetuate and develop the discipline in equal measure. These clubs are a harmonious blend of tradition and progress, organizing regattas and offshore races of global ...
It also supports the exciting SailGP global championship in which national teams race identical supercharged F50 catamarans on some of the world's most famous sailing locations. Rolex's partnerships with the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, New York Yacht Club and Royal Yacht Squadron, among others, are the ...
The Rolex Big Boat Series, hosted by StFYC September 14-18, 2022, is the West Coast's most competitive and prestigious sailing event, with perpetual trophies and Rolex rewards for top skippers and crews. To win this world-class regatta, teams need the skills to conjure opportunity in fleets populated with many world-class sailors.
The thrilling speeds and action-packed excitement of SailGP return to Chicago for the Rolex United States Sail Grand Prix, June 16-17, 2023! ... intense races competing on the F50 catamaran - a race boat that "flies" out of the water and can reach speeds in excess of 60 mph! Navy Pier will be transformed into the SailGP Race Village ...
The Notice of Race has been posted and registration is open for the 2021 Rolex Big Boat Series at St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, California. Scheduled for September 15-19, 2021, the regatta includes four days of high-test competition for boats in the following classes: One Design boats of the J/105, J/88, J/70, J/120 and Express 37 ...
San Francisco, CA (September 15, 2021) - Seventy-nine teams are expected to hit the start line tomorrow when the 2021 Rolex Big Boat Series begins its
As the crown in sailing for almost 70 years, Rolex has forged strong relationships with yachting through its support of the most influential yacht clubs, sailors, races and regattas. ... Rolex Middle Sea Race. October 19 - 26, 2024 | Valletta, Malta. Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. December 26 - 31, 2024 Sydney - Hobart, Australia.
Loro Piana Giraglia 2024. On July 11, 1953, along the Cannes-La Giraglia-Sanremo triangle, 22 boats started and 17 crossed the finish line, competing over the 196-mile course of the first edition of the Giraglia. For the record, the first Giraglia was won by a French boat with a real-time of 31 hours.
Published on August 23rd, 2023. Rolex Big Boat Series, the premier racing event on San Francisco Bay since 1964, is once again set to deliver a legendary experience for sailors: epic conditions ...
The Rolex Middle Sea Race was created as the result of sporting rivalry between two British yachtsmen residing in Malta, Alan Green and Jimmy White, and two Maltese sailors, Paul and John Ripard, both members of the Royal Malta Yacht Club. ... It offers sailing courses, training programs, and youth initiatives to encourage the participation of ...
The 35-boat fleet enjoyed the sunshine and big waves of the final day's racing. Photo by Rolex/Dan Nerney. The first "Rolex" took place in 1985, three years before the first women's Olympic medals were awarded. This year's event was dominated by the current Olympic gold medalist in the women's singlehanded discipline, Anna Tunnicliffe.
September 6, 2023. Modern Sailing is excited to announce that we have entered a boat and team to compete in the 2023 Rolex Big Boat Series! The San Francisco Bay is a world-class racing venue and the Rolex Big Boat Series is among the most iconic races, attracting top sailors from around the globe. Modern Sailing has made this elite competition ...
The thrilling speeds and action-packed excitement of SailGP return to Chicago's Skyline Stadium for the Rolex United States Sail Grand Prix ... Jimmy Spithill's United States team, battle it out in short, intense races competing on the F50 catamaran - a race boat that "flies" out of the water and can reach speeds in excess of ...
The weather gods delivered plenty of get-up-and-go on the first day of racing at the 2022 Rolex Big Boat Series, running September 14-18 at St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, California. Morning conditions were moderate for the 76 boats gathered for the West Coast's most competitive regatta, pressing their sails in 8-12 knots of breeze ...
Three-time Rolex Sailor of the Year Tom Slingsby gives us a glimpse into a new sort of sailing. ... Slingsby, for his part, is currently in Barcelona, where that other great sailing race, The America's Cup, is under way. SailGP's 2024/25 season kicks off in November in Dubai. Two news teams are rumored to be joining the fray, attracted by ...
Related Articles. Yachting World. Digital Edition; How to follow the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race. Toby Heppell; December 19, 2022; The Rolex Sydney Hobart Race is due to set off on b
Rolex Sydney Hobart Race 2021 . Небольшой промо ролик о проходящей регате ⛵ " Must Do" ( 600M Offshore Classics) | Rolex Sydney Hobart Race 2021
Rolex Middle Sea Race 2021. Продолжаем болеть и желаем удачного выступления российским яхтсменам ! Как показывает трекер регаты , наши гонщики выступают очень неплохо , что-то случилось с яхтой...
A race-won Rolex Daytona currently eludes the F1 champ. Since retiring from full-time Formula 1 racing at 36 in 2016, Button has competed in an astounding variety of motorsport series, ranging ...
Yachting World. Digital Edition; Rolex Sydney Hobart Race winner decided by 51 seconds. Helen Fretter; December 27, 2023; The 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race line honours battle is