San Francisco Yacht Club to Host 2024 USODA Team Trials!
April 18-21, 2024

The USODA Regatta Committee is pleased to announce that The San Francisco Yacht Club, in Belvedere, CA has been selected to host the 2024 Optimist Team Trials over April 18-21, 2024!

The San Francisco Yacht Club (SFYC) has a rich history of hosting major top tier racing events across many sailing classes.  SFYC has hosted many USODA qualifiers, including the Pacific Coast Championship for the last decade, Team Trials in 2011 with 186 boats and then again in 2016 with 226 boats.

The SFYC is the oldest yacht club west of the Mississippi and has a dedicated Sailing Center mostly for the use of their large junior program.  The Club is located in a sheltered cove where the temperature is often in the 80s during the summer while the rest of the Bay is in 60s. There is a boy’s and girl’s changing room that has four showers each.  They have a regatta room that can be used for check-in and protests.  The Cove House banquet facility is specifically designed for hosting larger events.  The club has professional grade signal boats, mark set boats and equipment.  SFYC runs a World Championship every other year, as well as 30 annual regattas each year.  SFYC has a dedicated race management staff managed by a full-time Race Director and a full-time Youth Sailing Director, multiple sailing instructors and a dedicated volunteer base motivated to make this event world class.

The USODA Team Trials racing location is 5 miles east of the yacht club in the Berkeley Circle.  This location has hosted many high-level events and is a training ground for Olympic level sailors.  Sailing conditions in April are known to be thermal driven and are quite consistent.  The breeze levels start at 10-15 around noon and build to 15-22 from 270 degrees by 2-3 pm most days.  There is the possibility of some rainstorms at that time of year, but it is not typical.  Excellent sea breeze conditions should prevail making it a fair and challenging venue.

SFYC is located in Marin County which is 15 miles north of San Francisco.  The Golden Gate bridge is 10 minutes away and the city beyond that.  Several hiking and biking trails are located within walking distance of the club and beaches can be accessed from 15-45 minutes away.  Wine country is 45 minutes away.  There are three major airports within a reasonable drive from the club (SFO, OAK, SJC).  Many activities and destinations await those interested in off water activities.

SFYC looks forward to another year of exciting racing in the 2024 Optimist Team Trials!