The Real Cost of Racing: Why RaceSense Is More Than Just Fairer Starts
Hey everyone, I’m Francesca Frazza—Fraz for friends. After years as an Olympic campaigner in the Laser (or ILCA) class, I’m now managing communications here at Vakaros, bringing my sailing experience and some serious Italian flair to the company. Raise your hand if you’ve ever been hit with a BFD or lost races (or even regattas) because of a UFD! I know the feeling well; I’ve honestly lost track of the number of BFDs and UFDs I’ve racked up over the years.
There was one race at the Laser Europeans (yes, in 2018 it was still called Laser) in La Rochelle where, in brutal 25-knot conditions with massive waves, 40 of us got BFD’d over six starts just in the first race of the day. And there I was, shivering and waiting for the next sequence, questioning my entire life’s decisions as I watched time (and race points) slip away, hoping for a future of fairer and smoother racing.
And let’s not forget events like Poland 2020 or Varna 2021. Besides being freezing, we spent seven to eight hours on the water each day! It was endless waiting, mostly due to the BFDs, especially in the first race of the day (why is it always the first race of the day and never the last?). At times like those, I think all of us would’ve prayed for a system that made starts faster and easier, so we could get more sailing in without losing time—and races.
We often say that RaceSense saves you time on the water, but let’s look at what it saves in terms of real costs. We all know how the system works, the instrumentation on board signals you as OCS and all you need to do is go back, clear the line and complete your race. So, guys, have you ever wondered how much does a single race actually cost, not just in points but also financially?
Breaking Down the Cost of a Single Race
As an Olympic campaigner leading up to Tokyo 2021, I was often in and out of Japan, sailing in different racing venues, including, obviously, Enoshima. To put it into perspective, a 10-day training camp and regatta there costed:
- Flight: €1,000
- Local Transportation from the airport: €50
- Regatta Entry Fee: €350
- Boat Shipping: €900 or Boat Rental: €1,000+
- Accommodation: €500 (if you’re lucky)
- Personal Costs: €300-€400
- Coach Fees: €2,000
That brings the total to around €5,200-€5,500. And for a typical week of racing with 10 races, that’s a cost of roughly €520-€550 per race. So, every UFD or BFD doesn’t just dent your score—it’s also a financial hit. And we are talking about a single-handed class like the ILCA!
Alright, maybe you’re thinking, “I’m not an Olympic campaigner, and I’m definitely not racing in Japan.” Fair enough. Let’s look at a national regatta closer to home, with fewer expenses. Here’s a rough breakdown:
- Entry Fee: €100
- Fuel for Van: €150
- Personal Costs: €150
- Accommodation: €200
Without factoring in a coach, you’re looking at about €600 total. For a five-race regatta, that’s €120 per race (around $130 USD).
The Real Benefit of RaceSense
Now imagine sailing with RaceSense, where starts are fairer, timing is optimized, and the risk of penalties is excluded. RaceSense doesn’t just improve your experience on the water—it directly reduces the economic impact of costly penalties. No BFDs and UFDs mean less time and money lost, a smoother regatta experience, and ultimately, a more enjoyable and affordable racing season. Now go, think about it and make better choices in sailing.
Fraz
