Dear Saint Croix Sailing Club Members,

We hope you are safe and healthy, and anxious to go sailing!  The Board of Directors have spent a good deal of time researching the current laws and orders, and we feel that racing can go on as planned with minimal changes.  Ultimately, it is up to each boater to decide whether to race or not.  Please read this entire message as this represents our policy for sailing for the time being – the laws change regularly, so updates will be made as needed throughout the year.

• It is incumbent upon every boat and every person to adhere to the laws of both MN and WI, including Washington and St. Croix Counties, as well as DNR and marina regulations.  Links to relevant pages can be found below, but know that this is not an exhaustive list.
  • State of Minnesota:  https://mn.gov/covid19/
  • Washington County, MN:  (currently defaults to MN guidelines) https://www.co.washington.mn.us/3168/COVID-19
  • MN DNR:  https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/covid-19.html
  • State of Wisconsin:  (no plan in force)
  • St. Croix County:  (currently an “advisory” only)  https://www.sccwi.gov/951/St-Croix-County-Health-Advisory
  • St. Croix Marina:  (regulations emailed to members)
• Social gatherings (while not strictly prohibited in WI) are not advised.  The club will not hold any social events for the time being.  Please maintain social distancing from other members.
• The Race Committee will promote social distancing by setting longer start and finish lines.
• Protest hearings will be virtual for the foreseeable future.
• The Race Committee will not solicit people to crew on other boats.  (ie:  no “crew table” this year)
• Social Distancing between boats is accommodated by the nature of our sport. Our races are governed by the rules of US Sailing which prohibit boat-to-boat contact.
• Social Distancing on boats is still recommended and therefore crews should be limited.
• The person in charge of each boat will assume responsibility for confirming that each person aboard has shown no signs of illness within the past 14 days and does not live with or had contact with any person who has had signs of illness for at least 14 days. Signs of illness can include cough, shortness of breath or trouble breathing; or at least two of the following: fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell.

We realize that some boats and persons may not choose to participate in our races at this time.  We respect your decision.  Everyone is welcome to sail when they feel safe to do so and are able to comply with regulations.

The Race Committee may be shorthanded this year, and will be more proactive in canceling races if weather conditions look questionable.

SCSC Sailing Instruction Changes:
For those of you who didn’t attend the Skippers Meeting this year, you should review the slideshow before your next race.  There are some changes that affect everyone (handicapping and a new start sequence).

• Skippers Meeting:  https://stcroixsailing.com/wp-content/uploads/SCSC_2020_SkippersMeeting.pdf
• Sailing Instructions:  https://stcroixsailing.com/category/racing/sailing-instructions/

We look forward to seeing you on the water!  Our first races are just a few days away!
The calendar will be kept up to date with cancellations and rescheduling: https://stcroixsailing.com/calendar/

Sincerely,
Your Saint Croix Sailing Club Board of Directors
May 19, 2020