Race Officer Program History

In 1982, US SAILING introduced its Senior Race Officer recognition program. The Club Race Officer program followed in 1988. These programs were designed to recognize qualified race officers throughout the country and to promote quality race management. The Race Management Committee established qualifications, and recognition was granted for the lifetime of the individual. As of January 2008, there were 247 recognized Club Race Officers and 263 Senior Race Officers. These people are identified in the on-line directory as Recognized Club Race Officer (http://ussailing.org/racemgt/Race_Officer_Prog/recognized_Club.asp) or Recognized Senior Race Officer (http://ussailing.org/racemgt/Race_Officer_Prog/recognized_senior.asp).

During the time these programs were active, over 1000 individuals were recognized. They have, collectively, made immense contributions to the sport by providing race management for countless races. Competitors throughout the country have benefited significantly from these volunteer services.

In 1994, US SAILING introduced an additional program to certify highly qualified race officers, people who were capable of running any level of regatta. These certifications were for four year terms, and renewable. At the end of 1998, when the program was replaced, there were 31 Certified Principal Race Officers. The last of these certifications expired at the end of 2002.

In 1998, a working group was formed to recommend a comprehensive program of race officer training and certification. This program replaced the three existing programs in 1999, and since the end of 1998, no additional people have been or will be recognized under the old Club and Senior Race Officer Programs. Current Club and Senior Race Officers will retain that recognition for their lifetimes, as long as they remain members of US SAILING.