Summer 2020

We know you're ready to get back on the water. This hiatus has galvanized our passion for the sport. As they say, distance makes the heart grow fonder. One thing is certain, as soon as we are permitted to safely operate we are prepared to launch a schedule for local sailing and sailboat racing.What We KnowThe Summer calendar has undergone significant change in the past few weeks. All National and International events from June-August have been postponed at this time, including:

• Brook E Gonzales Clinic
• US Sailing Youth Championships
• 29er Nationals
• 29er North Americans
• Europeans
• Worlds

Update on BEG, Youth Champs and Nationals- clinic/regatta organizers have officially postponed these events and considering rescheduling later in the summer (re: BEG) or in the fall (Youth Champs). However, careful discussion of the viability of a fall date considers the burden of boat transit and school calendar conflicts.Update on North Americans- regatta organizers are working with local healthcare advisers to determine the viability and potential risk of holding the 29er North Americans this July in Bristol, Rhode Island. Update expected on/before June 1st.Update on Europeans and Worlds- read 29er Class announcement here - these large scale events will not be rescheduled this calendar year. The most likely scenario is that the 2021 calendar will look like a repeat of dates and venues already laid out for 2020.

What We Can ControlAs such, we are adapting to the situation and making a strong regional push for the next few months, a shift of how we normally do things. Once it is safe for us to return to the water for sailing we will have a slow start and rebuild of our summer calendar. We will schedule training dates locally for learn to skiff, advanced clinics, and competitive racing.Regional SailingThe fact that by nature national events attract sailors from multiple regions they likely will not be feasible given the constraints of local governance and common sense, before the end of the summer. Any "events" will be local and organized to support sailing for regional teams rather than attracting out of region participants. We encourage each region to consider similar regional efforts and that we partner to create a fun point system for sailors.In MiamiWe are optimistic that it will be safe to schedule training on the water for a small number of boats and organize days of competition in South Florida this June and July.Our intention is to follow guidelines from the CDC and organize on-shore action maintaining social distance by:

• Schedule the number of sailors to sail as part of the "group" on a given day
• Communicate on-water action and timeline ahead of time
• Assign teams to rig in distant, designated areas
• Assign launching times for each team to reduce overlap and congestion at the ramp
• Follow on-water agenda
• Debrief via Zoom call with athletes after the fact, and transfer video files with coach commentary

2NINER will create a document outlining our operational guidelines that athletes and coaches will follow and circulate it as soon as an opening is announced and dates shared. We encourage each family and organization must decide what is sensible for them. Let's start talking about it now.

That's the news for now. 

While there's nothing definitive we wanted to make sure to reach out and share some news to let you know what conversation we've been having with the regatta organizers, the 29er class, and US Sailing.