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SNEAD ISLAND -- Everyone can relate to the thrill that comes from winning a competition. Nothing compares to the adrenaline rush one gets when crossing a starting line. In a regatta, dozens of boats push their way in to get a prime position before the gunshot. Because there are no brakes, participants run the risk of collision, relying only on sail power to speed them up, slow them down, or alter course -- sometimes missing opponents by inches.
Sound Appealing? The Bradenton Yacht Club is now accepting entries for their 28th annual Kick-off Regatta on September 24-26. This is the second race in WFPHRF boat of the year series. It is open to any mono-hull boat that holds a current PHRF certificate with a rating between -100 and 355.
The weekend will incorporate festivities after every day of sailing including food, musical entertainment and a fund-raising raffle for the Manatee River Pram Fleet during the shore-side events. Classes will be divided into divisions according to the number of entries. First, second and third place trophies will be given for each division at the award ceremony on Sunday.
There will be several classes: spinnaker, non-spinnaker, racer/cruiser and cruising. Boats must be self-righting, have an enclosed cabin and self-bailing cockpit. Any one-design boat can compete as long as it is safe to sail in the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico and meets eligibility requirements.
The BYC is still accepting applications from both sailors and sponsors. Competitors may be required to display easily-removable sponsor advertising on their boats. The boat must be owned by a member in good standing of a recognized yacht club, sailing club or organization to enter.
Schedule of Events
Friday, Sept 24, 2010
Saturday, Sept 25, 2010
Sunday, Sept 26, 2010
Any one-design class wishing to compete must have 4 or more entries. If there are not enough boats for a class, those boats will be placed in an appropriate alternate class according to decisions of the organizing authority.
The Fee is $90.00 and is payable at the time of registration (pdf). It will include two t-shirts, one hat, Saturday and Sunday continental breakfast for all crew, two Saturday dinner tickets and Captain’s bag. Registration must be accompanied by proof of completion of the West Florida Yacht Racing Association survey and participants will receive a $10 gift when they check-in and bring a print-out of the final page of the survey.
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Complimentary berthing courtesy of the BYC will be available. Boats are to dock in the area assigned by the Harbormaster when arriving for the regatta and returning after the race is completed. Additional berthing is available for a fee at Snead Island Boat Works (941-722-4450) and Regatta Point Marina (941-729-6021). Skippers should contact these marinas directly to make arrangements for dockage.
Depending upon the number of entries, classes may be divided into two or more divisions. A skipper in the racer/cruiser class must declare their intent to use the spinnaker, asymmetrical spinnaker or non-spinnaker rating no later than 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 24. Failure to comply with this rule will result in the boat being rated with a spinnaker for the event.
For the PHRF spinnaker, non-spinnaker, and multihull classes, two races are scheduled for Saturday and one Sunday (weather permitting). The cruising class and racer/cruiser class will have one race each day. The one-design classes will race as many races as practical every day. There will be no additional starts for the one-design classes after 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and 1:00 p.m. on Sunday
The location of the race area will be in the lower Tampa Bay. Courses will consist of windward leeward triangle courses for PHRF spinnaker, non-spinnaker and multi-hull classes. One-design classes will race windward leeward courses. Cruising class and racer/cruiser fleets will sail random leg courses.
Eligible boats may enter by completing the entry form and sending it with their current WFPHRF rating certificate or one-design measurement certificate and the required fee to the address given on the entry from in accordance with the following deadlines: PHRF spinnaker, non-spinnaker, multihull, cruising class, and racer-cruiser boats must register no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, Sept 23, 2010. One-design boats must register no later than 6:00 p.m. on Friday, Sept 24, 2010.
Land-side activities are open to the public and will be held at the BYC, 4307 Snead Island Rd., Palmetto, Florida.
For further information, please contact Gerald Baily, fleet sail Captain, at 941-981-3891 or GBFlys@tampabay.rr.com
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