Please select your home edition
Edition
Leaderboard FD July August September 2023

An interview with Ethan Bixby on the 2023 505 Midwinter Championship

by David Schmidt 17 Jan 2023 16:00 GMT January 20-22, 2023
505 Pre-Worlds at Crosshaven Day 2 © Christophe Favreau / www.christophefavreau.com

The International 505 Class isn't new. In fact, it dates back to the early-to-mid 1950s, when designer John Westell created the lines for what he hoped would become a high-performance Olympic class dinghy; instead, and a year later, he was asked to modify the design, shortening its waterline to 5.05 meters. International class status came the next year, and the trapeze-powered class hosted its first world-championship regatta in 1956.

Since then, the class has consistently delivered high-level racing. In turn, the class enjoys dedicated fleets across the country. If there's a nearby fleet, it's usually a good bet that many of the area's top talent either actively competes in it, or has roots stretching back to its starting lines.

The East Coast is no exception, and the 2023 505 Midwinter Championship is being hosted by the Clearwater Community Sailing Center, in Clearwater, Florida from January 20-22.

I checked in with Ethan Bixby, who is serving as the regatta's event chair, via email, to learn more about this exciting One Design regatta.

Can you please tell us a bit about the current state of the 505 class, its culture and competition levels, and the kinds of sailors that one can expect to encounter at this year's Midwinter Championship?

The 505 has maintained its position as the preeminent high-performance adult dinghy, with strong U.S. and global fleets. The level of sailing remains high, with a mix of Olympic and professional sailors and high-level amateurs. Last year's Midwinters immediately preceded the North American Championships (also held at CCSC), so there was more nationwide representation in last year's fleet than there will be this year, but this will be a competitive event for sure.

What kind of entry numbers are you seeing this year? How does this compare to other recent midwinters, and are there any notable geographical concentrations to this entry list?

We expect somewhere between 12 and 16 boats this year, mostly from the East Coast. This will be a mix of local boats, plus significant concentrations from the Chesapeake Bay, New England, and Ontario.

With the Worlds in San Francisco, some are budgeting their time carefully.

Weather-wise, what kind conditions can sailors expect to encounter off of Clearwater in mid-to-late January? What are the best-case and worst-case weather scenarios?

Sailors should be prepared for a full range of conditions, both wind and temperature. 505s are able to sail in one of the broadest wind ranges of any class.

As recent conditions have shown, cold can sneak down at this time of year, but we hope to get a lot of nice warm conditions with sea breezes.

Do you see local knowledge playing a big or small role in the regatta's outcome? Can you please explain?

Clearwater is a fairly open venue, meaning that while wind shifts and tidal conditions can play a role, there aren't many well-kept secrets. Most competitors will have sailed at Clearwater and know a bit about what to expect. The class has also organized three days of coached training before the event, which should get people used to the local conditions before racing starts.

If you could offer one piece of advice to visiting (and local) sailors, what would it be?

Bring your relaxed casual attitude and enjoy the venue! It's unique.

In the ideal world, how many races do you and the other organizers hope to score? Also, how will you guys be managing the racecourse? Traditional marks, or GPS-guided autonomous robotic marks?

While the sailing instructions will finalize the racing schedule, people come to the 505 Midwinters to sail. Three to four races per day is ideal.

Clearwater usually has fairly steady wind and is a relatively easy place for managing ground tackle, so traditional [racing] marks work well. The class is a bit unique in that it utilizes gate starts, which the race committee loves!

What kinds of post-racing/onshore entertainment can sailors look forward to?

Hopefully a lot of sore muscles and strategic hydration techniques after warm windy days on the water! But one unique staple of the 505 Class is to have a daily debrief where the day's stronger teams share their lessons. The [505] Class is invested in seeing everyone improve to keep sailing fun and rewarding for all, and to [see] the U.S. fleet at the top of the world rankings.

Can you tell us about any efforts that you and the other regatta organizers have made to try to lower the regatta's environmental footprint or otherwise green-up the regatta?

Sailors have become quite conscious about environmental issues, encompassing everything from avoiding single-use plastics to transporting boats as efficiently as possible, to using blue-friendly sun-care products. Managing a 505 regatta can be done with fewer support boats than most other regattas, which is also a benefit.

Is there anything else that you'd like to add, for the record?

This is the 52st running of the 505 Midwinters! It started in Melbourne, Florida in 1969, and only two years have been missed, one due to Covid. It moved to the St. Petersburg area in the mid-1980s.

Related Articles

For the love of slightly larger, even faster boats
Bring it on. No chicken chutes allowed. Celestial, the newest Cape 31 in Oz is up and racing Thank you. You have let For the love of small, fast boats run before the breeze like a superlight planning hull under way too big a kite, with immense sheep in the paddock, and the Sailing Master grasping the flare gun in his pocket... No chicken chutes. Posted on 4 May
The Allure of Timber
The longevity, and sheer beauty, of boats made of wood In these days of exotic materials, high modulus carbon and ultra lightweight construction, it's possible to overlook the longevity, and sheer beauty, of boats made of wood. Posted on 29 Apr
A look inside the Spirit Yachts yard
A close look at what makes their yachts unique Traditional skills in boatbuilding could be regarded as a lost art from a bygone era. In the world of fibreglass and carbon, the joinery and laminating techniques of wood ribs and cedar strips are a thing of the past. Posted on 28 Apr
Make me smile even wider and brighter
What's better than writing about a great programme to get people into yachting? Only one thing... What's better than writing about a great programme to get people into yachting? Well, how about actually speaking with a former participant who has then gone on to work in the industry. That's what! Posted on 22 Apr
The holistic approach of Ancasta Yacht Services
Helping owners protect their investment and keep their boat in top condition Take a look behind the wood, gelcoat and trim panels on any modern yacht or powerboat, and you'll see that they are complex things. An array of cables, hoses & pipes interconnects electronic devices and amenities which make life on board more comfortable. Posted on 17 Apr
Jazz Turner explains more about Project FEAR
She will leave the wheelchair behind to sail unassisted around the British Isles for charity I caught up with Jazz Turner, who cited "the pure freedom I get when on the water" as the most important thing to her. Most of us sailors can appreciate that, but what we cannot really empathise with is being told you may only have 6 months to live. Posted on 15 Apr
Pro Sailing Drama and Intrigue
SailGP, the America's Cup, and the sailors themselves have all been in the mainstream news What a couple of weeks it has been in the world of professional sailing: SailGP, the America's Cup, and the sailors themselves have all been in the mainstream news for one reason or another. Posted on 15 Apr
For the love of small, fast boats - the Cape 26
Chickens, eggs, and boats. Until now, had never, ever put that lot together! The proverbial chicken, an egg, and boats. Not entirely sure I had ever pondered that until after my recent conversation with Davey James and Mark Mills. The genesis for the discussion was the reveal of the new Cape 26 OD.... Posted on 6 Apr
The Proving Ground
Why the Trofeo Princesa Sofia Mallorca by FERGUS is such an important regatta The end of an Olympic quadrennial cycle often brings sailing campaigns to an end. Some partnerships in doublehanded classes split, with helm and crew going their separate ways, while others use the time to reflect on their future. Posted on 1 Apr
The most important job in sailing
How Nick Scott is delivering radical change to competitive sailing pathways in the UK I am putting forward that falls to Nick Scott and his team. Namely to secure its competitive future by addressing challenges and delivering radical change while bringing people on that journey with him. Posted on 31 Mar