Registration Open for Premiere Sailing League Exhibition

While a premature taste of winter blanketed much of the US in the past week, the Premiere Sailing League (PSL) was busy readying for the January 2020 debut of its Exhibition Series in Pensacola, Florida. Following a well-received event, held in conjunction with the Annapolis Boat Show, where roughly 200 sailors experienced first-hand the concept of stadium sailing, the PSL’s fleet of six RS21 keelboats have arrived at Pensacola Yacht Club.

“With the help of the folks at the Annapolis Sailing School, who provided immeasurable logistical support, we were able to escape the snow and travel to Pensacola,” said PSL President Benjamin Klatzka. “Now we are gearing up for a test event in early December that will set the stage for the PSL Exhibition Series.”

The PSL Exhibition Series will consist of four regattas, with dates confirmed as follows: PSL Exhibition Series 1 is scheduled for January 3rd – 5th 2020 off Plaza de Luna at the foot of historic South Palafox Place adjacent to the Pensacola Marina. The remaining PSL Exhibition Series events are scheduled for January 31st - February 2nd, March 6th – 8th and April 3rd – 5th 2020. 

PSL Exhibition Series 1 will take place on courses set just off the Pensacola waterfront. For each event, practice racing will be held on Friday from the Pensacola Yacht Club, located in the downtown Sanders Beach Community. On Saturday and Sunday, the six to 10 teams will race short-course, fast-paced flights, each roughly 20 minutes long, with up to 20 races per day, to determine the winner. Spectators will be able to take in the action from either Plaza de Luna or the nearby Vince Whibbs Community Maritime Park. Teams can now sign up for Series 1 here.

The fast pace of the series is largely achievable with the use of the high-tech MarkSetBot.  Utilizing GPS and a smart phone to set the marks of the course saves time for event organizers, and, significantly, it improves accuracy in setting the course.

The PSL’s fleet of RS21s will spend the winter at Pensacola Yacht Club, making it possible for college sailing teams or other interested groups to charter the boats for practice in advance of the spring sailing season. Inquiries can be made by emailing the Premiere Sailing League here. 

Images: Premiere Sailing League