(Isla Mujeres, Mexico)- Gulf Coast sailors will be celebrating the 30th
sailing of the Regata al Sol from Pensacola, Florida to Isla Mujeres,
Mexico. This biennial premier offshore race is sponsored by Southern
Yacht Club, Pensacola Yacht Club, and the Club de Yates Isla de Mujeres.
The start of the race will be May 9th (cruising class) and May 10th
(racing class) 2018. The course angle of 177 deg. will take racers from
Pensacola Bay 620nm across the Gulf of Mexico to Isla Mujeres, Mexico
just off the Yucatan coast from Cancun. This race offers all the
excitement of an offshore race as well as the challenge of navigating
the Gulf loop current.
Eighteen
boats are participating in this 30th anniversary race and there are two
fast 40+ foot J/teams in the PHRF Racing Class. Patrick Waring’s brand
new J/121 HOT PURSUIT has gone through their shakedown/ training program
and cannot wait to unleash their beast on the mostly reaching race
track. Giving them a solid run-for-the-money will be Ralph Junius’
proven offshore cruiser-racer, the J/122 MADAM J. Based on current forecasts, it should be an interesting 4-5 day race for these offshore thoroughbreds. After starting in the lightish airs of Pensacola Bay, the boats should encounter most easterly tradewinds (from 80 to 120 deg) of 7-15 kts for the next 4-7 days offshore all the way down the track, around the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula and down to the southeast to the finish line off Isla Mujeres. Follow the Regata al Sol Race on Facebook here For more Regatta al Sol Race sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.
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