Keeping the lay day, sort of

Back when the San Francisco Big Boat Series had big boats, it also had lay days (plural). Some of the best memories came away from the race course, but now it’s a four-day battle where the boats are smaller and only the strongest survives. Progress?

There was also a time when the biennial Block Island Race Week had everyone staying ashore to compete in activities that ranged from tug-o-war and in-pool jousting tournaments to road races and Whales Tales contests. These were good times, but as the world of sailboat racing became more competitive, grumbling began.

The idea of staying ashore on a predetermined day when there might be perfect wind, only to have no breeze another day when racing was scheduled, lost favor. So, a compromise was hatched (sort of).

The format was changed to allow for five days of scheduled racing, and a Lay Day may occur if conditions warrant. If the forecaster predicts no wind for a day, BIRW Race Director Dick Neville may step up at the 0900 morning briefing, look left… look right… and call out, “Lima Delta!” signaling a Lay Day.

Details: https://stormtrysail.org/regattas/blockislandraceweek/