Read PDF - Southwinds Magazine

SOUTHERN RACINGDauphin Island Race Celebrates50 years, Fairhope, AL, April 25-27The Dauphin Island Race will celebrate its 50th anniversary in2008. Few events endure for 50 years, but the Dauphin IslandRace has through the continuous support of the four MobileBay yacht clubs that alternate as host. The race has grown tobe the largest single-day point-to-point sail race in the UnitedSates. The race was recognized as one of the premier “funraces” in America in the June 2007 edition of SAIL magazine.The 50th running of the race will be a very special event.It will not only celebrate the golden anniversary but thereturn of the Gulf Coast sailing fleet that was devastated byHurricane Katrina. Over 300 boats are expected with over athousand crewmembers participating. Boats from 16 to 65feet are expected. Sailors and boats from at least eight statesare anticipated.The activities begin with a warm-up race held SundayApril 20. A skippers’ meeting and party will be on Fridayevening, April 25, at the Fairhope Yacht Club. The race startsat 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, and finishes at DauphinIsland. Saturday evening features a party on the island highlightedby the race awards ceremony. On Sunday, April 27,there is a return race to Fairhope Yacht Club with a pool partyand award ceremony at its conclusion.For more information on the race, go the race Web siteat www.dirace.com.Annual Steve BrownellCommodore’s Cup Regatta,Tampa Sailing Squadron, May 2-4Tampa Sailing Squadron will once again host the annualSteve Brownell Commodore’s Cup Regatta May 2-4. Friday,May 2, will open the weekend with a cookout in the eveningaccompanied by some cold “grog” and registration.Saturday will include PHRF racing for Spinnaker, Non-Spinnaker, Racer Cruiser, True Cruising and Motherlodefleets. One-Design fleets are encouraged to attend. Details,notice of race and entry forms will be available shortly onthe Web site. Saturday evening will include the TSS traditionalpig roast (and more “grog”) followed by race results,presentation of trophies and raffle. Sunday includes thewomen’s regatta.All proceeds from this event benefit Tampa SailingSquadron’s youth sailing program, dedicated to teachingkids 7-17 the fine art of moving about on the water usingthe wind. (aka: sailing). Last year, over 110 kids wentthrough the program.For registration and more information, go to www.tampasailing.org/racing.htm.Open Invitational River DistrictRegatta, Fort Myers Sailing Club,May 3This one-day regatta is a fundraiser for the youth sailingcenter, Edison Sailing Center. The center offers intermediateand advanced level courses, with an emphasis on racing. Thesenior students are eligible to participate in the Level 1 USSAinstructor training to continue their education. The ESC is acommunity-based, non-profit 501(c) (3) organization.The North Star Yacht Club in the Marinatown area, thehost and principal sponsor, will be race headquarters andthe location for the awards ceremony. Free dockage Fridayand Saturday is available. Call (239) 995-8200.All interested sailors are invited to participate. Boatowners who are not affiliated with any particular sailingclub are welcome to register and race.The racecourse will be on the Caloosahatchee Riverbetween the Caloosahatchee Bridge and the MidpointBridge. Please note that boats which draw more than fivefeet will have difficulty navigating the racecourse. PHRFfleets in both Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker divisions.Three races are planned, weather permitting. One race willconstitute a regatta. Registration before April 26 is $40,thereafter $60.During the awards ceremony a silent auction and raffleswill be held to benefit the Edison Sailing Center. Direct taxdeductibledonations are also welcome.For more information and entry forms, contact regattaco-chair Joanne Russ at (863) 244-1928, or Tim Flower at(239) 671-9918New Format for the 23rdKey West Rendezvous, May 12-19Responding to a survey of skippers from the last two years,the 23rd Key West Regatta will have a new look with severalmajor changes this year, according to Fairlie Brinkley,perennial event organizer. This year, fleets starting fromClearwater, Sarasota, Boca Grande, and Naples will all starton Wednesday, May 14 and the start of the Key West toNaples Race will be on Sunday morning versus the Mondaymorning start in past years.Other changes will be that both entry and apparel saleswill be done electronically using the regatta processing softwaredeveloped by PRO David Billing, CEO of Unger andBilling Ass. in Clearwater, FL. Participants should especiallynote that clothing purchases, including T-shirts, will be availableonly at the time of entry and no merchandise will be soldat registration or in Key West. The social fee (wrist bands) willbe eliminated on a trial basis in 2008 and the one formal partywill be the awards celebration on Saturday evening at theGalleon Marina and Resort. A list of restaurants and suggestedvisiting times will be available so that sailors can rendezvouswith each other while enjoying the multitude of highquality establishments in Key West. The Clearwater YachtClub is the organizing authority, with the following clubs actingas co-hosts: Gulf Coast Sailing Club, Naples Yacht Club,Naples Sailing and Yacht Club, Platinum Point Yacht Club,Punta Gorda Sailing Club and Sarasota Yacht Club.The Key West Rendezvous is the only event recognizedby all four of the WFPHRF Boat of the Year competitions;Sun Coast, Charlotte Harbor, Sarasota Bay andSouthwest Florida.The NOR, clothing order and entry information areavailable at www.clwyc.org/KeyWest08. For additionalinformation contact Fairlie Brinkley at fairlie@fairliebrinkley.comor (727) 512-3264.54 April 2008 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com