Hi Mary, I have not seen these reasons posted yet, so my response will add some more perspectives. I started the 'Round The Bay Race over ten years ago as a way to demonstrate different ways to run an event that I wanted others to emulate. Here are some of our guiding principles (some of which have since been copied by others):

Most important: Every competitor gets recognition, not just the top performers, because the time, effort, and expense to attend from top to bottom is usually pretty close. This encourages everyone to come back as it might be the only event that acts like it appreciates their attendance. Without the people who do not "trophy", the events will be pretty small and less worthwhile. That is the number one issue we need to reverse!!!

I wanted to have a race to encourage the use of headsails - I did this by allowing any head sail to be carried and applying the Portsmouth correction only for a headsail that was actually used in the race. So you can take anything out that you want, including multiple headsails, and only "pay" for what you use. Since the race began, headsails have become common, and I like to think we helped that happen. My perspective on this was probably influence by many years of big boat sailing where we carried many sails on the boat and used only what was best for the conditions during the race, as did every other boat, yet each boat's rating stayed the same. So that seemed natural to me along with the realization that just carrying a headsail and not using it put that particular boat at a disadvantage to the same type of boat w/o the gear on it.


We try to get something different and useful for recognition each year instead of the usual trophy items. People seem to like that, too.

We organize and run the event to serve the competitors, not vice-versa. It is disappointing how many events seem to not care about, or even display disdain for, the competitors. (Spring Fever seems to get this focus right also.)

In ten years I think we made money once or twice. I know last year we lost several hundred dollars. We don't care. We have decided to use our group's bank account until it expires.

Another reason that I started the race is just because I thought it would be an interesting race to sail. It also fit the more recent trend of increasing popularity for distance races and for one day events. We get good feedback on both issues.

We do see it as a chance to "give back" to the sport. It is nice to hear the heart-felt "Thank-yous" from the sailors we serve. It is a big effort even for a small event but we know we are good at it and approach our volunteerism the same as we would for a race; competitively! We want to perform well and get better results each year. We want more people to be happy they came and to plan to come back when they leave. We want them to try some of the same things we do in their events. Then we achieve more "reach" and our efforts have more value and the sport is improved a little.

As a final note, the regattas in OCRA for the last several years either are free or cheap and most, if not all, lose money. There are only four or five and if the organizers did not make these happen then there would be no OCRA, fewer people would sail cats, fewer people would be exposed to cats, and when you and Rick came back to Ohio you would go nuts! ;-)

Mike