{"id":23600,"date":"2024-10-04T18:19:38","date_gmt":"2024-10-04T18:19:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southwest.jboats.com\/?p=23600"},"modified":"2025-01-08T16:13:20","modified_gmt":"2025-01-08T16:13:20","slug":"rolex-big-boat-series-preview-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jboatssouthwest.com\/rolex-big-boat-series-preview-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Rolex Big Boat Series Preview 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"2024_0911_RBBS_J105A\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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(San Francisco, CA)- One of the best sailboat racing venues in the world, iconic San Francisco Bay, is ready to turn it on for the 60th edition of the Rolex Big Boat Series at St. Francis Yacht Club, September 11-15, 2024.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n

The most prestigious regatta on the West Coast has attracted 71 boats and nearly 700 sailors to the docks of St. Francis Yacht Club, to hear what classes will race for Rolexes and perpetual trophies on Wednesday night, and to start preparing for the first race on Thursday, September 12. With a strong turnout in J\/88 and J\/105 one-design classes and ORC divisions, organizers are thrilled to welcome members and guests to be a part of the action on the water and shoreside.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving been involved in this epic West Coast regatta for some four decades, it is my honor and privilege as Commodore to welcome our members and guests to the 60th edition of the Rolex Big Boat Series,\u201d said Chris Perkins, 2024 Commodore of St. Francis Yacht Club and a past winner of the event. \u201cI wish the best of luck to our competitors who are here to compete in one of the world\u2019s most spectacular racing venues. Sail fast and enjoy our outstanding hospitality.\u201d<\/p>\n

“Sailing smart the first couple of days is key, but Saturday and Sunday are really where the championship will be won,\u201d commented Ryan Simmons from the J\/105 BLACKHAWK.<\/p>\n

Rolex Big Boat Series\u2019 extensive history of champions is a tribute to the depth of talent that graces the event and this year, a solid fleet stacked with talented and tough competition is expected.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have thirty J\/105s starting again this year, which is great to see, and the ORC fleet is diverse and deep in talent with past winners returning to defend their titles,\u201d says Felix Weidling, Race Director of St. Francis Yacht Club. \u201cWe always have our competitors\u2019 best interests in mind and after taking in sailors\u2019 feedback from last year, we continue to improve this important event which is a cornerstone of West Coast sailboat racing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Perennial Rolex Big Boat winner in the J\/105 class, Ryan Simmons, and his well-seasoned team on BLACKHAWK are eager to see how the competition will play out in the competitive San Francisco-based J\/105 fleet. BLACKHAWK took first in class in 2019, 2021, and 2023, and second in 2022. Simmons does not take for granted that his luck will bear out for another win, although he and his crew are talented enough\u2014and hopeful.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re lucky, we have low turnover on our team\u2014we\u2019ve been sailing together a long time and it\u2019s a big difference,\u201d says Simmons. \u201cOur competitive edge this year will be consistency. In the first two days of the regatta, you can\u2019t lock in the win, but you can take yourself out of contention, so sailing smart the first couple of days is key, but Saturday and Sunday are really where the championship will be won.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hot to prevail against BLACKHAWK is NE*NE, owned and skippered by Tim Russell who has played bridesmaid many times, often finishing in the top three. He\u2019s currently leading the local J\/105 fleet in the class championship series, making him a serious podium contender.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cA first place on NE*NE is eluding me!\u201d says Russell. \u201cYou have to take chances and I usually approach every regatta being super conservative. On my starts, I\u2019m trying to win one end or the other and let our boat speed take care of itself and minimize mistakes, but in Big Boat, you have to gamble.\u201d<\/p>\n

“Some of the best, most reliable, and most fun sailing conditions in the world are this time of year at this venue, the race management is second to none, and the social side is always spectacular,” explained Peter Wagner, owner\/ skipper of the J\/111 SKELETON KEY.<\/p>\n

Peter Wagner won last year\u2019s ORC-C division on SKELETON KEY, the J\/111 he\u2019s owned since 2015. Winner of the J\/111 North Americans for two years in a row and St. Francis Yacht Club\u2019s Sailor of the Year in 2023, Wagner is a tough act to follow. He\u2019s been racing the Rolex Big Boat Series for almost 25 years and is looking forward to the solid competition, great conditions, and fun social gatherings.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s always one of the highlights of our season and certainly the highlight of racing on San Francisco Bay,\u201d says Wagner. \u201cIn this particular event, we\u2019ve raced in various one-design classes as well as ORR and now ORC and we\u2019re excited about the momentum around ORC. I think it will be a competitive event. Some of the best, most reliable, and most fun sailing conditions in the world are this time of year at this venue, the race management is second to none and the social side is always spectacular. There is always a great group of sailors that convenes around RBBS.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other boats returning to defend their 2023 titles include the J\/88 PELAGIA owned and skippered by Christos Karamanolis and the J\/109 REVERIE owned and skippered by John Arens.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m excited to lead the Rolex Big Boat Series in its 60th anniversary year,\u201d says Susan Ruhne, who chairs the regatta and is the 2024 Rear Commodore of St. Francis Yacht Club. \u201cThe event is such an important part of the StFYC\u2019s history and a favorite for so many sailors and spectators to experience. There is nothing like watching 70-plus boats on three race courses duke it out on San Francisco Bay, including the classic downwind run from the Golden Gate Bridge back to the club. I am also very proud that we continue to maintain Rolex Big Boat Series\u2019 status as a Clean Regatta, a foundation of the event.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Sailing photo credits- Sharon Green\/ UltimateSailing.com<\/a>. For more\u00a0ROLEX Big Boat Series sailing information and results<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(San Francisco, CA)- One of the best sailboat racing venues in the world, iconic San Francisco Bay, is ready to turn it on for the 60th edition of the Rolex Big Boat Series at St. Francis Yacht Club, September 11-15, 2024.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The most prestigious regatta on the West Coast has attracted 71 boats and nearly 700 sailors to the docks of St. Francis Yacht Club, to hear what classes will race for Rolexes and perpetual trophies on Wednesday night, and to start preparing for the first race on Thursday, September 12. With a strong turnout in J\/88 and J\/105 one-design classes and ORC divisions, organizers are thrilled to welcome members and guests to be a part of the action on the water and shoreside.\u00a0
\n\u201cHaving been involved in this epic West Coast regatta for some four decades, it is my honor and privilege as Commodore to welcome our members and guests to the 60th edition of the Rolex Big Boat Series,\u201d said Chris Perkins, 2024 Commodore of St. Francis Yacht Club and a past winner of the event. \u201cI wish the best of luck to our competitors who are here to compete in one of the world\u2019s most spectacular racing venues. Sail fast and enjoy our outstanding hospitality.\u201d
\n“Sailing smart the first couple of days is key, but Saturday and Sunday are really where the championship will be won,\u201d commented Ryan Simmons from the J\/105 BLACKHAWK.
\nRolex Big Boat Series\u2019 extensive history of champions is a tribute to the depth of talent that graces the event and this year, a solid fleet stacked with talented and tough competition is expected.\u00a0
\n\u201cWe have thirty J\/105s starting again this year, which is great to see, and the ORC fleet is diverse and deep in talent with past winners returning to defend their titles,\u201d says Felix Weidling, Race Director of St. Francis Yacht Club. \u201cWe always have our competitors\u2019 best interests in mind and after taking in sailors\u2019 feedback from last year, we continue to improve this important event which is a cornerstone of West Coast sailboat racing.\u201d
\nPerennial Rolex Big Boat winner in the J\/105 class, Ryan Simmons, and his well-seasoned team on BLACKHAWK are eager to see how the competition will play out in the competitive San Francisco-based J\/105 fleet. BLACKHAWK took first in class in 2019, 2021, and 2023, and second in 2022. Simmons does not take for granted that his luck will bear out for another win, although he and his crew are talented enough\u2014and hopeful.\u00a0
\n\u201cWe\u2019re lucky, we have low turnover on our team\u2014we\u2019ve been sailing together a long time and it\u2019s a big difference,\u201d says Simmons. \u201cOur competitive edge this year will be consistency. In the first two days of the regatta, you can\u2019t lock in the win, but you can take yourself out of contention, so sailing smart the first couple of days is key, but Saturday and Sunday are really where the championship will be won.\u201d
\nHot to prevail against BLACKHAWK is NE*NE, owned and skippered by Tim Russell who has played bridesmaid many times, often finishing in the top three. He\u2019s currently leading the local J\/105 fleet in the class championship series, making him a serious podium contender.\u00a0
\n\u201cA first place on NE*NE is eluding me!\u201d says Russell. \u201cYou have to take chances and I usually approach every regatta being super conservative. On my starts, I\u2019m trying to win one end or the other and let our boat speed take care of itself and minimize mistakes, but in Big Boat, you have to gamble.\u201d
\n“Some of the best, most reliable, and most fun sailing conditions in the world are this time of year at this venue, the race management is second to none, and the social side is always spectacular,” explained Peter Wagner, owner\/ skipper of the J\/111 SKELETON KEY.
\nPeter Wagner won last year\u2019s ORC-C division on SKELETON KEY, the J\/111 he\u2019s owned since 2015. Winner of the J\/111 North Americans for two years in a row and St. Francis Yacht Club\u2019s Sailor of the Year in 2023, Wagner is a tough act to follow. He\u2019s been racing the Rolex Big Boat Series for almost 25 years and is looking forward to the solid competition, great conditions, and fun social gatherings.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s always one of the highlights of our season and certainly the highlight of racing on San Francisco Bay,\u201d says Wagner. \u201cIn this particular event, we\u2019ve raced in various one-design classes as well as ORR and now ORC and we\u2019re excited about the momentum around ORC. I think it will be a competitive event. Some of the best, most reliable, and most fun sailing conditions in the world are this time of year at this venue, the race management is second to none and the social side is always spectacular. There is always a great group of sailors that convenes around RBBS.\u201d
\nOther boats returning to defend their 2023 titles include the J\/88 PELAGIA owned and skippered by Christos Karamanolis and the J\/109 REVERIE owned and skippered by John Arens.
\n\u201cI\u2019m excited to lead the Rolex Big Boat Series in its 60th anniversary year,\u201d says Susan Ruhne, who chairs the regatta and is the 2024 Rear Commodore of St. Francis Yacht Club. \u201cThe event is such an important part of the StFYC\u2019s history and a favorite for so many sailors and spectators to experience. There is nothing like watching 70-plus boats on three race courses duke it out on San Francisco Bay, including the classic downwind run from the Golden Gate Bridge back to the club. I am also very proud that we continue to maintain Rolex Big Boat Series\u2019 status as a Clean Regatta, a foundation of the event.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Sailing photo credits- Sharon Green\/ UltimateSailing.com. For more\u00a0ROLEX Big Boat Series sailing information and results.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"close","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23600","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-jboats_news_reviews"],"yoast_head":"\nRolex Big Boat Series Preview 2024 - JBoats Southwest<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/jboats.com\/2024-blog\/rolex-big-boat-series-preview-2024\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Rolex Big Boat Series Preview 2024 - JBoats Southwest\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"(San Francisco, CA)- One of the best sailboat racing venues in the world, iconic San Francisco Bay, is ready to turn it on for the 60th edition of the Rolex Big Boat Series at St. Francis Yacht Club, September 11-15, 2024.\u00a0 The most prestigious regatta on the West Coast has attracted 71 boats and nearly 700 sailors to the docks of St. Francis Yacht Club, to hear what classes will race for Rolexes and perpetual trophies on Wednesday night, and to start preparing for the first race on Thursday, September 12. With a strong turnout in J\/88 and J\/105 one-design classes and ORC divisions, organizers are thrilled to welcome members and guests to be a part of the action on the water and shoreside.\u00a0 \u201cHaving been involved in this epic West Coast regatta for some four decades, it is my honor and privilege as Commodore to welcome our members and guests to the 60th edition of the Rolex Big Boat Series,\u201d said Chris Perkins, 2024 Commodore of St. Francis Yacht Club and a past winner of the event. \u201cI wish the best of luck to our competitors who are here to compete in one of the world\u2019s most spectacular racing venues. Sail fast and enjoy our outstanding hospitality.\u201d "Sailing smart the first couple of days is key, but Saturday and Sunday are really where the championship will be won,\u201d commented Ryan Simmons from the J\/105 BLACKHAWK. Rolex Big Boat Series\u2019 extensive history of champions is a tribute to the depth of talent that graces the event and this year, a solid fleet stacked with talented and tough competition is expected.\u00a0 \u201cWe have thirty J\/105s starting again this year, which is great to see, and the ORC fleet is diverse and deep in talent with past winners returning to defend their titles,\u201d says Felix Weidling, Race Director of St. Francis Yacht Club. \u201cWe always have our competitors\u2019 best interests in mind and after taking in sailors\u2019 feedback from last year, we continue to improve this important event which is a cornerstone of West Coast sailboat racing.\u201d Perennial Rolex Big Boat winner in the J\/105 class, Ryan Simmons, and his well-seasoned team on BLACKHAWK are eager to see how the competition will play out in the competitive San Francisco-based J\/105 fleet. BLACKHAWK took first in class in 2019, 2021, and 2023, and second in 2022. Simmons does not take for granted that his luck will bear out for another win, although he and his crew are talented enough\u2014and hopeful.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re lucky, we have low turnover on our team\u2014we\u2019ve been sailing together a long time and it\u2019s a big difference,\u201d says Simmons. \u201cOur competitive edge this year will be consistency. In the first two days of the regatta, you can\u2019t lock in the win, but you can take yourself out of contention, so sailing smart the first couple of days is key, but Saturday and Sunday are really where the championship will be won.\u201d Hot to prevail against BLACKHAWK is NE*NE, owned and skippered by Tim Russell who has played bridesmaid many times, often finishing in the top three. He\u2019s currently leading the local J\/105 fleet in the class championship series, making him a serious podium contender.\u00a0 \u201cA first place on NE*NE is eluding me!\u201d says Russell. \u201cYou have to take chances and I usually approach every regatta being super conservative. On my starts, I\u2019m trying to win one end or the other and let our boat speed take care of itself and minimize mistakes, but in Big Boat, you have to gamble.\u201d "Some of the best, most reliable, and most fun sailing conditions in the world are this time of year at this venue, the race management is second to none, and the social side is always spectacular," explained Peter Wagner, owner\/ skipper of the J\/111 SKELETON KEY. Peter Wagner won last year\u2019s ORC-C division on SKELETON KEY, the J\/111 he\u2019s owned since 2015. Winner of the J\/111 North Americans for two years in a row and St. Francis Yacht Club\u2019s Sailor of the Year in 2023, Wagner is a tough act to follow. He\u2019s been racing the Rolex Big Boat Series for almost 25 years and is looking forward to the solid competition, great conditions, and fun social gatherings. \u201cIt\u2019s always one of the highlights of our season and certainly the highlight of racing on San Francisco Bay,\u201d says Wagner. \u201cIn this particular event, we\u2019ve raced in various one-design classes as well as ORR and now ORC and we\u2019re excited about the momentum around ORC. I think it will be a competitive event. Some of the best, most reliable, and most fun sailing conditions in the world are this time of year at this venue, the race management is second to none and the social side is always spectacular. There is always a great group of sailors that convenes around RBBS.\u201d Other boats returning to defend their 2023 titles include the J\/88 PELAGIA owned and skippered by Christos Karamanolis and the J\/109 REVERIE owned and skippered by John Arens. \u201cI\u2019m excited to lead the Rolex Big Boat Series in its 60th anniversary year,\u201d says Susan Ruhne, who chairs the regatta and is the 2024 Rear Commodore of St. Francis Yacht Club. \u201cThe event is such an important part of the StFYC\u2019s history and a favorite for so many sailors and spectators to experience. There is nothing like watching 70-plus boats on three race courses duke it out on San Francisco Bay, including the classic downwind run from the Golden Gate Bridge back to the club. I am also very proud that we continue to maintain Rolex Big Boat Series\u2019 status as a Clean Regatta, a foundation of the event.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Sailing photo credits- Sharon Green\/ UltimateSailing.com. For more\u00a0ROLEX Big Boat Series sailing information and results.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/jboatssouthwest.com\/rolex-big-boat-series-preview-2024\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"JBoats Southwest\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-10-04T18:19:38+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-01-08T16:13:20+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/southwest.jboats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2024_0911_RBBS_J105A-1.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Stuart Johnstone\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Stuart Johnstone\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/jboats.com\/2024-blog\/rolex-big-boat-series-preview-2024#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/southwest.jboats.com\/rolex-big-boat-series-preview-2024\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Stuart Johnstone\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/southwest.jboats.com\/#\/schema\/person\/77bcb7a5f0ec0fa3acd43f83ef11755a\"},\"headline\":\"Rolex Big Boat Series Preview 2024\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-04T18:19:38+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-01-08T16:13:20+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/southwest.jboats.com\/rolex-big-boat-series-preview-2024\/\"},\"wordCount\":978,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/southwest.jboats.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/jboats.com\/2024-blog\/rolex-big-boat-series-preview-2024#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/jboatssouthwest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2024_0911_RBBS_J105A-1.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"J\/Boats News & Reviews\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/southwest.jboats.com\/rolex-big-boat-series-preview-2024\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/jboats.com\/2024-blog\/rolex-big-boat-series-preview-2024\",\"name\":\"Rolex Big Boat Series Preview 2024 - 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JBoats Southwest","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/jboats.com\/2024-blog\/rolex-big-boat-series-preview-2024","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Rolex Big Boat Series Preview 2024 - JBoats Southwest","og_description":"(San Francisco, CA)- One of the best sailboat racing venues in the world, iconic San Francisco Bay, is ready to turn it on for the 60th edition of the Rolex Big Boat Series at St. Francis Yacht Club, September 11-15, 2024.\u00a0 The most prestigious regatta on the West Coast has attracted 71 boats and nearly 700 sailors to the docks of St. Francis Yacht Club, to hear what classes will race for Rolexes and perpetual trophies on Wednesday night, and to start preparing for the first race on Thursday, September 12. With a strong turnout in J\/88 and J\/105 one-design classes and ORC divisions, organizers are thrilled to welcome members and guests to be a part of the action on the water and shoreside.\u00a0 \u201cHaving been involved in this epic West Coast regatta for some four decades, it is my honor and privilege as Commodore to welcome our members and guests to the 60th edition of the Rolex Big Boat Series,\u201d said Chris Perkins, 2024 Commodore of St. Francis Yacht Club and a past winner of the event. \u201cI wish the best of luck to our competitors who are here to compete in one of the world\u2019s most spectacular racing venues. Sail fast and enjoy our outstanding hospitality.\u201d \"Sailing smart the first couple of days is key, but Saturday and Sunday are really where the championship will be won,\u201d commented Ryan Simmons from the J\/105 BLACKHAWK. Rolex Big Boat Series\u2019 extensive history of champions is a tribute to the depth of talent that graces the event and this year, a solid fleet stacked with talented and tough competition is expected.\u00a0 \u201cWe have thirty J\/105s starting again this year, which is great to see, and the ORC fleet is diverse and deep in talent with past winners returning to defend their titles,\u201d says Felix Weidling, Race Director of St. Francis Yacht Club. \u201cWe always have our competitors\u2019 best interests in mind and after taking in sailors\u2019 feedback from last year, we continue to improve this important event which is a cornerstone of West Coast sailboat racing.\u201d Perennial Rolex Big Boat winner in the J\/105 class, Ryan Simmons, and his well-seasoned team on BLACKHAWK are eager to see how the competition will play out in the competitive San Francisco-based J\/105 fleet. BLACKHAWK took first in class in 2019, 2021, and 2023, and second in 2022. Simmons does not take for granted that his luck will bear out for another win, although he and his crew are talented enough\u2014and hopeful.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re lucky, we have low turnover on our team\u2014we\u2019ve been sailing together a long time and it\u2019s a big difference,\u201d says Simmons. \u201cOur competitive edge this year will be consistency. In the first two days of the regatta, you can\u2019t lock in the win, but you can take yourself out of contention, so sailing smart the first couple of days is key, but Saturday and Sunday are really where the championship will be won.\u201d Hot to prevail against BLACKHAWK is NE*NE, owned and skippered by Tim Russell who has played bridesmaid many times, often finishing in the top three. He\u2019s currently leading the local J\/105 fleet in the class championship series, making him a serious podium contender.\u00a0 \u201cA first place on NE*NE is eluding me!\u201d says Russell. \u201cYou have to take chances and I usually approach every regatta being super conservative. On my starts, I\u2019m trying to win one end or the other and let our boat speed take care of itself and minimize mistakes, but in Big Boat, you have to gamble.\u201d \"Some of the best, most reliable, and most fun sailing conditions in the world are this time of year at this venue, the race management is second to none, and the social side is always spectacular,\" explained Peter Wagner, owner\/ skipper of the J\/111 SKELETON KEY. Peter Wagner won last year\u2019s ORC-C division on SKELETON KEY, the J\/111 he\u2019s owned since 2015. Winner of the J\/111 North Americans for two years in a row and St. Francis Yacht Club\u2019s Sailor of the Year in 2023, Wagner is a tough act to follow. He\u2019s been racing the Rolex Big Boat Series for almost 25 years and is looking forward to the solid competition, great conditions, and fun social gatherings. \u201cIt\u2019s always one of the highlights of our season and certainly the highlight of racing on San Francisco Bay,\u201d says Wagner. \u201cIn this particular event, we\u2019ve raced in various one-design classes as well as ORR and now ORC and we\u2019re excited about the momentum around ORC. I think it will be a competitive event. Some of the best, most reliable, and most fun sailing conditions in the world are this time of year at this venue, the race management is second to none and the social side is always spectacular. There is always a great group of sailors that convenes around RBBS.\u201d Other boats returning to defend their 2023 titles include the J\/88 PELAGIA owned and skippered by Christos Karamanolis and the J\/109 REVERIE owned and skippered by John Arens. \u201cI\u2019m excited to lead the Rolex Big Boat Series in its 60th anniversary year,\u201d says Susan Ruhne, who chairs the regatta and is the 2024 Rear Commodore of St. Francis Yacht Club. \u201cThe event is such an important part of the StFYC\u2019s history and a favorite for so many sailors and spectators to experience. There is nothing like watching 70-plus boats on three race courses duke it out on San Francisco Bay, including the classic downwind run from the Golden Gate Bridge back to the club. I am also very proud that we continue to maintain Rolex Big Boat Series\u2019 status as a Clean Regatta, a foundation of the event.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Sailing photo credits- Sharon Green\/ UltimateSailing.com. For more\u00a0ROLEX Big Boat Series sailing information and results.","og_url":"https:\/\/jboatssouthwest.com\/rolex-big-boat-series-preview-2024\/","og_site_name":"JBoats Southwest","article_published_time":"2024-10-04T18:19:38+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-01-08T16:13:20+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/southwest.jboats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2024_0911_RBBS_J105A-1.jpg","type":"","width":"","height":""}],"author":"Stuart Johnstone","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Stuart Johnstone","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/jboats.com\/2024-blog\/rolex-big-boat-series-preview-2024#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/southwest.jboats.com\/rolex-big-boat-series-preview-2024\/"},"author":{"name":"Stuart Johnstone","@id":"https:\/\/southwest.jboats.com\/#\/schema\/person\/77bcb7a5f0ec0fa3acd43f83ef11755a"},"headline":"Rolex Big Boat Series Preview 2024","datePublished":"2024-10-04T18:19:38+00:00","dateModified":"2025-01-08T16:13:20+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/southwest.jboats.com\/rolex-big-boat-series-preview-2024\/"},"wordCount":978,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/southwest.jboats.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/jboats.com\/2024-blog\/rolex-big-boat-series-preview-2024#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/jboatssouthwest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2024_0911_RBBS_J105A-1.jpg","articleSection":["J\/Boats News & Reviews"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/southwest.jboats.com\/rolex-big-boat-series-preview-2024\/","url":"https:\/\/jboats.com\/2024-blog\/rolex-big-boat-series-preview-2024","name":"Rolex Big Boat Series Preview 2024 - 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