The Big Race is Coming!

Photo Submitted by Friday Harbor Sailing Club – Photo Credit: Wally Lum

The Round the County Race will be this weekend…November 8 and 9. This is one of the biggest PHRF sailboat races in the Pacific Northwest. The event is again co-hosted by the Friday Harbor Sailing Club and the Orcas Island Yacht Club.

Over 90 boats are registered this year and so it promises to be very exciting! Saturday they begin in Rosario and go clockwise around the county going past islands Blakely, Decatur, Lopez, past Cattle Pass, Salmon Banks and finishing near Mosquito Pass. Sunday they continue out of Roche Harbor and on around the islands of Stuart, Patos, Sucia, Matia, Clark and the east side of Orcas back to Rosario Strait.

This Saturday, grab a lunch, binoculars or camera and plan to see this spectacular race on the west side of San Juan Island. Go to South Beach, Lime Kiln Park or generally any public location looking towards Haro Strait. It is not possible to predict the exact time the boats will come by so pick a spot to wait and watch. The race goes on regardless of weather.

Friday Harbor Sailing club promotes sailing and power boat activities including races like RTC. Casual potluck dinner meetings are 5:45pm on the second Tuesday of each month at the Grange except for Summer BBQs and the December party. To attend as a guest please contact Don Hendrix at 378-4590 or go to www.FridayHarborSailing.com. You don’t have to be a sailor to enjoy the camaraderie and good food as power boaters are also very welcome.

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