Our course is 400 meters long on the open ocean. A traditional sprint is 250 meters with a standard race measuring 500 meters. Protected by North America’s only barrier reef, water conditions in May are typically smooth to a light chop with winds from the SSE. Tide fluctuation is minimal (2 ft between high and low).
Providing a competitive test of endurance and giving the helmsmen the spotlight to shine, the top finishing teams from A Division qualify for the 2000 meter race based on times in the Final race.
All crews are eligible for the Battle In The Bay Championship which is awarded to the overall winner. Teams are also eligible for medals in the Challenge Race categories determined by the race times in the first round (Qualifying Heat). Challenge categories are subject to change each year depending on the teams that enter with naming rights reserved for specific sponsorship levels. We have had mixed crews, survivor crews, women’s teams, youth teams, military teams and senior teams.
All times in the first round are arranged fastest to slowest and teams are assigned to divisions based on those times. Medals are awarded to the champions of each division in addition to discounts on entry fees for the next year’s race. (Division C = 25% discount, Division B = 50% discount, Division A = 100% discount)
Registration fees for local crews include two 60 minute on water practices (all equipment and boats provided) with a qualified coach during the week prior to race day and Team T-shirts. All teams receive a team photo, reserved space in Athletes’ Village and are guaranteed to race a minimum of three times during the regatta. New for 2012: teams from outside of Monroe County also receive 2 practice sessions.
