"What Is WSSA"?- The Unauthorized History

WSSA stands for West Sound Sailing Association. Formed in 1978, it joined the yachts clubs of West Puget Sound and Kitsap County into an organization and sponsored a series of races to determine a "Sailor Of The Year". Initially, the clubs that formed WSSA included: Port Orchard, Sinclair Inlet, Bremerton, Brownsville, Poulsbo and Port Madison. Over the years, this list has changed dramatically: Brownsville and Poulsbo dropped their racing programs(Poulsbo reinstated theirs about four years ago), Sinclair Inlet Yacht Club has ceased to exit, and a club named Eagle Harbor Yacht club sponsored races for a few years but, the club may have ceased to exit. West Sound Corinthian was formed in 1981 and added it's own race.

Each club sponsored a race(or two) and for a few years, the WSSA organization sponsored a weekend regatta that moved to different locations each year. In the early years, the WSSA series started with the first race in February at Port Madison, no races during the summer and two races in the fall with the final race being the Poulsbo Race. Some of the races (Brownsville, Sinclair Inlet, Bremerton, Port Orchard and Poulsbo) usually sponsored a post race dinner/social event.

The race format included two or more classes based on handicap and later a cruising class was added. Standard scoring was used with as many as two throw outs used when the series included up to nine races. Most of the clubs had their own races or regattas prior to the formation of WSSA and some were the result of  the formation of WSSA. From the early 1980's, until at least 1999, the WSSA series was a qualifying race for the Seattle Yacht Club Gran Prix event.

The WSSA races are usually quite challenging. The outcome of many of them are determined by who can negotiate the currents of Rich Pass, Agate Pass and the entrance to Liberty Bay. The final results of the series is often not determined until the final race.

Here is a complete list of WSSA "Sailors of The Year" for 1978-2011:

Past West Sound Sailors of the Year, and their Yachts
2011	Matthew Gardener-Brown		DULCINEA	J-105
2010	Matthew Gardener-Brown		DULCINEA	J-105
2009	Steve Trunkey		EGRESS	Hotfoot 27
2008	Dan Wierman		GREAT WHITE	J-35
2007	Dan Wierman		GREAT WHITE	J-35
2006	Matthew Gardner-Brown		DULCINEA	J-105
2005	Arnie Jarlock		TENSION	Tartan Ten
2004	Arnie Jarlock		TENSION	Tartan Ten
2003	Arnie Jarlock		TENSION	Tartan Ten
2002	Bob Lubowicki		CARENE	X-Yacht 119
2001	Jim Snow		YANKEE	Ranger 37
2000	Paul Faget		EGRESS	Hotfoot 27
1999	Dan Wierman		GOOD NEWS	Bystedt 30
1998	John Kerrigan		NEW HAVEN	Baltic 38
1997	Paul Faget		EGRESS	Hotfoot 27
1996	Dan Wierman		GOOD NEWS	Bystedt 30
1995	Jim Snow		YANKEE	Ranger 37
1994	Dan Wierman		GOOD NEWS	Bystedt 30
1993	Jim Snow		YANKEE	Ranger 37
1992	Ted Morneau & Jim Wright		FLITE'	Olson 40
1991	Paul Faget		EGRESS	Hotfoot 27
1990	Ted Morneau & Jim Wright		FLITE'	Olson 40
1989	Jim Snow		ENDEAVOR	Catalina 27
1988	Dan Wierman		GOOD NEWS	Bystedt 30
1987	Bob Verger & Rich Koch		ELAN	Catalina 38
1986	Milt Michaelis		SHADOWS	Erickson 34T
1985	Gary Davis		SWAN	Thunderbird
1984	Jerry Lowrie		FAST BREAK	Ranger 28
1983	Jerry Lowrie	FAST BREAK			Ranger 28
1982	Paul Estep	ELAN			Catalina 38
1981	Jerry Lowrie	FAST BREAK			Ranger 28
1980	Jim Snow	ENDEAVOR			Catalina 27
1979	Dick Ziglar	D2Z			Catalina 27
1978	Steve Nelson	MAAKEN			Custom Miller

The demographics of this list of winners is interesting:
16 Total Winners

6 Are still active racers

3 Have raced the series since the beginning.

1 Has raced in every series

Furthermore, it is interesting to note that many different styles and sizes of boats has won the series. It has not always been the fastest or largest boat.

WSSA has also been involved in sponsoring seminars and presentations. They have hosted talks from designers(Bob Perry), sailmakers (Keith Lawrence) and various sailing movies.

More info on WSSA and the series can be found here: WSSA Homepage

This was a short(unauthorized) history, others may be able to provide more information.