The course has racers starting in the early morning off Baker Beach, rounding the Farallones in either direction and then finishing off the Golden Gate Yacht Club race deck. Covering a total distance of 54nm, the conditions for the DHF can be challenging, testing a double-handed crew’s stamina and seamanship. The race requires that participating boats meet the NCORC’s offshore safety requirements and that participating sailors study offshore safety topics and practice person overboard recovery before the race.