ST PETERSBURG, FL
WOMEN'S PERFORMANCE RACE WEEK
Welcome to American Sailing's late-winter Women's Performance Race Week powered by North U. Held at the St. Petersburg Sailing Center in Florida this clinic will help you master racing trim, helming, and boat handling. Seasoned coaches aboard high-performance J/70s will be your guide through practical on-water training and races, shoreside seminars, and insightful video reviews.
“Performance Race Week is about getting faster and smarter, and while a sunburn will soon fade, the memories and the lessons will last a lifetime.”
Read the article by Dave Reed from Sailing World
COURSE OVERVIEW
The Women’s Performance Race Week is a five-day clinic designed to elevate your competitive sailing skills. The curriculum covers essential areas including trim, helming, and boat handling, with special attention given to tactical decision-making, teamwork, and communications. Participants receive hands-on coaching aboard J/70s, applying learned theories through on-water training and races. This practical experience is enriched by comprehensive shoreside seminars and daily video reviews. You will improve your skills in every facet of racing and become a better, more versatile and more confident racer.
The Clinic
The clinic teaches refined techniques to transform you from a racer into a winner. Sailboat racing is a complex endeavor drawing upon a broad mix of skills. Every sailor has strengths and weaknesses in their skill set. We’ll improve areas of weakness and build on your strengths to send you home a better, more versatile racer. By having your coach on board we are able to focus on your particular skill set.
The Coaches
North U coaches combine championship racing skills with years of coaching experience. With just four sailors plus a coach aboard each boat you’ll get close personal attention. Just to be clear: The coaches will NOT be sailing the boats. You and your team do all the sailing.
The Boats - J/70
The J/70 is a modern, comfortable, responsive, racing boat; and one of the most popular boats on the racing circuit today.
The Books
Performance Racing Trim and Performance Racing Tactics are the best sailboat racing textbooks out there. Written by North U Director Bill Gladstone, and packed with illustrations, and practical techniques, they make the perfect companion to this clinic. The books are NOT included with the class. If you don’t already own them, they are available at a 15% discount to participants. Details will be sent in the registration confirmation email.
ST. PETE
Renowned for its glorious weather, St. Pete is an extraordinary destination for sailing enthusiasts. The city's location offers access to the calm, azure waters of Tampa Bay and the expansive Gulf of Mexico, each providing different sailing experiences to meet a variety of skill levels. The region is known for its steady sea breezes, predictable weather patterns, and its mix of tranquil bays and challenging open ocean routes. St. Pete's marinas are well-equipped and plentiful, and the city boasts a lively sailing community. Adding to this is the area's rich marine biodiversity, with opportunities to see dolphins, manatees, and a multitude of bird species. In addition, St. Pete has a thriving waterfront culture, with sailing schools, regattas, and yacht clubs that organize races and social events. The combination of consistent wind, warm sunshine, and spectacular marine and coastal beauty make St. Petersburg an outstanding sailing location.
THE SAILING VENUE
The clinic takes place at the St. Pete Sailing Center, one of the most active sailing facilities in the United States. Operated by the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, the Center is host to numerous regional and national regattas, sailing classes, adaptive sailing, summer camps, youth racing teams, and community sailing memberships open to residents of the Tampa Bay area.
ACCOMMODATIONS
The Schedule
The clinic starts at 8:30am on Monday so plan to arrive at least 1 day before. If your schedule permits, try and arrive a few days early to allow for unanticipated travel delays and to ensure you're ready to sail on day one! The clinic concludes around 6:00pm on Friday so we recommend planning to depart the following day at the earliest.
MONDAY | mar 11
8:30am - 9:15am : Check In / Sign In / Boat Draw
9:30am - 11:30am : Sailing Session
11:45am - 1:00pm : Classroom Session (with lunch)
1:30pm - 4:30pm : Sailing Session
5:00pm - 6:30pm : Welcome Party
TUESDAY | MAR 12
8:30am - 11:30am : Sailing Session
Windward/ Leeward Course for Spinnaker Practice
11:45am - 1:00pm : Classroom Session (with lunch)
1:30pm - 4:30pm : Sailing Session
5:00pm - 6:00pm : Video Debrief
WEDNESDAY | MAR 13
8:30am - 11:30am : Sailing Session
11:45am - 1:00pm : Classroom Session (with lunch)
1:30pm - 4:30pm : Sailing Session
5:00pm - 6:00pm : Video Debrief
THURSDAY | mar 14
8:30am - 11:30am : Sailing Session
11:45am - 1:00pm : Classroom Session (with lunch)
1:30pm - 4:30pm : Sailing Session 6
5:00pm - 6:00pm : Video Debrief
FRIDAY | MAR 15
8:30am - 11:30am : Sailing Session
11:45am - 1:00pm : Classroom Session (with lunch)
1:30pm - 4:30pm : Sailing Session
5:00pm - 6:00pm : Debrief & Prize Giving
The Details
What's Included
5 Days of Sailing + On The Water Training
A Coach On Each Boat
Race Ready J/70s
Classroom Sessions + Video Review
5 x Lunches + 1 x Dinner
ASA 111 Certification
What's Not Included
- Travel & Accommodations
- Other Meals
- Personal Sailing Gear
(bring your PFD and Racing Watch)
REQUIREMENTS
Strong Sailing Skills
Some Racing & Spinnaker Experience
- Ability / Agility to Sail on an Active 24-foot Boat.
CAPACITY
Space is limited to 10 boats and 40 sailors.
- Sign up individually, as a group, or full crew of 4.
Pricing
$2,490 - Individual Sailor
$9,360 - Team of Four (save $150 per person)
Risk Free Registration
Pay a $500/person deposit to reserve your space today and your payment will be fully refundable until November 15th, 2023.
Payment Due Dates All registrations must be paid in full by January 5th, 2024.
Refunds / Cancellations
Payments/Deposits will be refunded in full if a reservation is canceled before November 15th, 2023. Refunds may be available after this deadline but only in situations where we are able to fill the space.
