St. Augustine, Fla. (July 26, 2018) – The third-annual St. Augustine Sailing Sisters (SASS) Bikini Race is set for 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4 at the St. Augustine Yacht Club, located at 442 Ocean Vista Ave.
Event proceeds benefit the Betty Griffin Center, which provides shelter and support for victims of domestic and sexual abuse in St. Johns County.
“Last year, we raised over $5,000 for the center through event sponsorships and direct donations, and we’re hoping to raise even more this year,” said SASS Founding Member and Board President Tracy Samson. “We’re trying to get as much sponsorship as we can for the center, but we also want to encourage more women to get out there and sail.”
The Bikini Race requires that a woman must pilot the ship, with only up to 50 percent men on the crew – with points (timing penalties) added to the racer’s score based on the number of men on board during the race. The race will include two divisions: All Female Crew and Mixed Crew. Mixed crews can be up to 50 percent male.
Last year, 12 boats took part in the race.
Samson said this year’s number of participants will be finalized after the Bikini Boat Launch Party, which takes place Friday, Aug. 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Meehan’s Irish Pub’s Johnny’s Oyster Bar, located at 20 Avenida Menendez.
“There, people can pick-up skipper’s bags, meet our sponsors, register in person for the race…and also take part in a 50/50 raffle,” she said.
There will be a skipper’s meeting and breakfast at the yacht club starting at 9:30 a.m. on the day of the race.
Samson says the public can watch the racers depart from Marker 55 on the Intracoastal Water from the Kingfish Grill, located at 252 Yacht Club Dr., where a reception, awards ceremony and check presentation will take place at the grill’s upstairs HarborView Room immediately following the race.
For race registration and race sponsor information, visit www.sasailingsisters.com.