SORC Wirth Munro Ocean Race Preview
(Miami, FL)- The second of the SORC’s “Islands in the Stream Series” is taking place this weekend- the Wirth Munro Race from Miami, FL north to Palm Beach, FL. It’s a full-on sprint with the Gulf Stream just offshore offering up to 5 kts of boost going north in the swiftly moving current!
The SORC Islands in the Stream Series consists of four races. Here is the schedule:
2024
November 21st- Sailors Choice Race
December 6th- Wirth Munroe Ocean Race
2025
January 9th- Ft. Lauderdale- Key West Race
February. 20th- Nassau Cup Ocean Race
The annual Wirth M. Munroe Ocean Race is among the oldest races in North America. First sailed in 1957 and named for the renowned Miami naval architect, the Wirth M. Munroe pits skippers and their crews against the vagaries of the Gulf Stream and the early winter frontal systems along Florida’s southeastern coast. The race, sailed the first Friday in December, is affectionately known by participants as the “Race to the Buffet,” a nod to the sponsoring Sailfish Club of Florida’s legendary seafood dinner, reception, and awards ceremony offered to all skippers and their crews.
The Wirth M. Munroe has a rich history. In 1957, members of the Cruising Club of America’s Florida Station, led by Dick Bertram (famous founder of Bertram Yachts powerboats), wanted to give racing yachts arriving from the north a shakedown event for the Southern Ocean Racing Conference series held in January and February. The Miami-to-Palm Beach event attracted large fleets and sailing superstars, quickly establishing it as a favorite on the big-boat southern swing. In the 1960s, the Sailfish Club of Florida became a co-sponsor, and the post-race seafood buffet at its Palm Beach clubhouse became a “must” for skippers and their crews.
In the early 2000s, to generate participation across a broader spectrum of boats, the original course was shortened to a 40-miler from Fort Lauderdale to Palm Beach. In honor of the 60th anniversary of the race in 2016, the Sailfish Club, in partnership with the Storm Trysail Club, reinstated the Miami to Palm Beach course. Two years later, the current two-course format was introduced, drawing strong and diverse fleets, from ocean racing machines to racer-cruisers to coastal cruisers.
ORC B Division
Sailing in this seven-boat fleet is Chris Saxton’s J/125 VORTICES 2 from Detroit, MI. His team is hoping to continue their winning ways after their excellent performance in the first race of the series- the Sailor’s Choice Race.
ORC C Division
A trio of J/122s are sailing the eight-boat fleet– watch out! Those three very experienced J/122 offshore teams are Andrew Clark’s ZIG ZAG, Constantine Baris’s DIRE WOLF, and Matt Schaedler’s BLITZKRIEG.
PHRF Division
Sailing the shorter course from Fort Lauderdale to Palm Beach in this five-boat fleet is Alex Hill’s J/30 PAPARAZZI.
For more Wirth Munro Ocean Race sailing information & results
https://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=16848
For more SORC Sailors Choice Race sailing information
http://www.sorcsailing.org