NOR posted for 2011 Charlotte Harbor Regatta

[bglesun]

With two exciting new classes invited to participate and a worldwide wave of interest in Charlotte Harbor, the board of directors today released the Notice of Race for the Charlotte Harbor Regatta and the opening of our registration site for the Feb. 3-6, 2011 event.

Low fees, free slips, great hotel rates, generous sponsors and helpful volunteers make the Charlotte Harbor Regatta “the fun, affordable regatta.” The 2010 regatta drew 65 boats in eight classes, including the S2 7.9, the fast-growing Viper 640 fleet and the popular Flying Scot fleet. The multihull circle that featured the Hobie 16 and Hobie Wave classes this year, will double next year with the addition of the F18 and Weta trimaran classes. Also invited to participate are the Sunfish, Laser and Precision 15 classes. Other classes will be considered upon request.

The Charlotte Harbor Regatta will feature fast, competitive racing, exciting onshore activities and beautiful Southwest Florida weather. Classes will race on three circles, grouped according to boat compatibility and size. Buzz about the 2010 Charlotte Harbor Regatta and the great sailing conditions here resulted in the International Association for Disabled Sailing awarding its 2012 World Disabled Sailing Championships to Charlotte Harbor, which was recognized by SAIL magazine as “one of the top 10 greatest places to sail in the United States.”

An early registration discount and a $5 US Sailing member discount make the regatta even more affordable. Regatta rates on area hotels start at $65, and early birds can snag a two-bedroom suite right at our regatta host, Fishermen’s Village Resort & Marina, for only $140 a night, 30% off their regular rate. In addition, all nightly regatta dinners are included in the registration fee, with additional crew or family tickets only $40.

Virtually everything you need to know about the Charlotte Harbor Regatta is available on our website at www.charlotteharborregatta.com. Participants may register and pay online via our RegattaTech application or print out a registration form and mail in your entry and payment. The website also will enable participants and prospective entrants to see who has signed up for what classes, buy regatta gear and follow the results come February. Lodging, directions, related links and a regatta store also are featured online.

For participant, media and sponsor inquiries about the 2011 Charlotte Harbor Regatta, e-mail Brian Gleason at gleason@charlotteharborregatta.com.

Thanks for your interest in the Charlotte Harbor Regatta. We look forward to seeing you on beautiful Charlotte Harbor in February.

[Spike Boston]

How many people are interested in doing this regatta? We did it last year in a different boat and had a great time and they did a good job running it.
Brad Boston

[bob knowles]

The CHR can be a much lower cost alternative to the NOOD. Keep the boat in the local area and still do the NOOD and/ or then the local Conquistador Cup on March 5th & 6th. We can put 5 or 6 of our local boats on the line and possibly arrange for local boat chartering.

[bglesun]

Just to echo Bob's comment about storage, we offer free storage to anyone who is planning to do the CHR, NOOD or Conquistador races. Other classes, including the Viper 640 and F18 classes have floated the concept of a Snowbird/Winter Series including one or more of those events. The F18s put together a five-race series and got Zhik to sponsor gear prizes for the top 3 and the CHR donated a series battle flag/burgee for the points winner.

With the support of the local hospitality industry, we are once again able to offer regatta rates ranging from $69 to $140 a night. Host sponsor Fishermen's Village offers two-bedroom suites at $140/night that can accommodate an entire S2 crew. The resort will also be the site of regatta parties on Friday and Saturday night, with free slip space (at either Fishville or CHYC).

To see videos and slide shows of the 2010 CHR, go to http://www.charlotteharborregatta.com. Online registration is open and early registration and U.S. Sailing discounts truly make the Charlotte Harbor Regatta the "fun, affordable regatta."

FYI, the global buzz about the 2010 CHR led the International Association for Disabled Sailing to award its 2012 IFDS World Championships to Charlotte Harbor and the Charlotte Harbor Regatta, Inc., is the host organization. We are committed to the development of Charlotte Harbor as a premier worldwide regatta venue and our goal is to make every competitor leave town glad he/she came and itching to return.

[bglesun]

Early registration discount deadline for the Charlotte Harbor Regatta is Dec. 31. With $15 off for early entries and a $5 US Sailing discount, you can get into this huge one-design event for only $105. With four nightly dinners included in the entry fee, you're essentially racing for free (or paying $60 for sailing and eating for free)! Come early for practice, free storage and hotel regatta rates as low as $65, this is truly the "fun, affordable regatta."

[bglesun]

For skippers on the fence about the 2011 Charlotte Harbor Regatta due to crew shortages, we have a crew list that includes a 1st-place J/29 crew (2009 Charleston Race Week) available for an S2 7.9 entry in the Charlotte Harbor Regatta. Call Brian Gleason at 941-206-1133.