Got the following email from Ben Moon:
Hi everyone,
With winter fast approaching now is the time to start planning an escape south for a week or a few weekends of fun A-Cat sailing in and around some of the most beautiful winter sailing locations in the US. We have planned an extension to last years successful winter circuit and set a series of regattas incorporating training and tuning days to accommodate everyone from the serious A-Cat racer to the entry level A-Cat sailor. The focus for these events is not only on serious racing but also on knowledge sharing, training and of course the social scene. Each location is great for sailors and families too.
Please note this is a preliminary save the date notification of the winter schedule. The dates have been locked in and more details of each event will be forwarded in the near future. We will be adding information on affordable accommodation, notice of race, registration, assistance networking for logistics and storage etc as soon as it becomes available. If you need particular details about a certain event in advance of the details being posted, please feel free to drop and email to the nominated contact for each event as listed below. We will be posting regular updated competitors lists so please, as your plans come to fruition drop me a quick email to Ben MoonThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and I can add you to the appropriate list or lists.
Here is a brief on each event.
Islander Triangle - This is one day of race/ races for those who arrive in Islamorada on the weekend before the 1st main event and are egger to get on the water.
The first two events held back to back at the same location have been a staple for the A-Cat fleet for many years. I am sure after a year off due to the World championships being held at the same location everyone will be looking forward to getting back to the
Resort
where the true warm water A-Catting all started.
Coconut Grove Sails Invitational - This is a two day event held out of the beautiful Islander resort. A discount on accommodation at the resort is on offer for all competitors. When booking just mention you are there for the A-Cat sailing regatta.
A training/ coaching/ lay day is planed for the day between these two events.
A-Cat Intergalactic Championships - This is also a two day regatta at the same location. Instead of struggling with scores from your first two days of racing. You get to reset and put into practice what you have learned over the past three days. In the past these events have attracted strong attendance of 50 boats or more.
After these events held in Islamorada, the Grand Daddy of beach catamaran regattas will be held that weekend of Jan 17-18 which is the Tradewinds Midwinter Open Cat Nationals held at Founders Park beach, a beautiful, expansive beach on the bayside of the Fabulous Florida Keys, where the seas are flat, there is NO kelp and the winds average 10-15 mph.
A-Cats used to attend all the time and this is where they got their start. They are always welcome back
A-Cat / 505 Midwinter Championships - The generous 505 Fleet 15 have again invited us to join in on to their already successful 505/A-Cat midwinter championships. This can be the best time for sailing in Florida and Ft Desoto Park is a beautiful location! Anyone who made the event last year will confirm this as one that can't be missed.
Admiral's Cup - This is a brand new event to be held out of the beautiful inner costal town of Bokeelia. This one will be special! With the rigging launching and race headquarters based on the lush green lawn of Ben Hall's new Florida home. Big, open, and flat warm water with stable breezes, I am sure we are in for some great sailing!! For those that can make it a day earlier there is a plan to have a day of on water training and off water mast and sail tuning sessions.
Gulfport Yacht Club A-Cat/F16 Invitational - This is a two day event held on the flat water of Boca Ciega Bay. With predicted sea breezes for that time of year it should make for some short sharp racing. Again for those that can make it a day early we will set up a training and practice schedule.
Last but not least
2009 North American Championships - To be held out of the cat-famous club of Fort Walton Beach Yacht club, a venue that has held many highly successful catamaran events. This will be a great event and a great way to finish off your winter program or kick start your summer sailing.
Hope to hear from you all soon.
Regards,
Ben MoonThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
2009 A-Cat Winter Sailing Series
Date
Event
Location
Contact
Jan 11th
Islander Triangle
Islander Resort, Islamorada, FL
John & Carla Schiefer
Jan 12th-13th
Coconut Grove Sails Invitational
Islander Resort, Islamorada, FL
John & Carla Schiefer
Jan 14th
A-Cat Training/Coaching/Lay Day
Islander Resort, Islamorada, FL
John & Carla Schiefer
Jan 15th-16th
A-Cat Intergalactic Championships
Islander Resort, Islamorada, FL
John & Carla Schiefer
Feb 6th-8th
A-Cat/ 505 Midwinter Championships
Ft Desoto State Park, FL
Ben MoonThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
March 19th
A-Cat Training Coaching Tuning
Bokeelia, FL
Ben Hall
March 20th-22nd
Admiral's Cup
Bokeelia, FL
Ben Hall
April 18th-19th
GYC A-Cat/F16 Invitational
Gulfport, FL
Patrick BurgerThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
May 11th-15th
2009 A-Cat North American Championships
Fort Walton Beach, FL
Bob Hodges
I do have to correct one bit of history in Ben's press release. The A-Class first started its winter sailing vacations in 2000 coming to the Keys racing out of Rick's Place in Key Largo. Rick and Mary were excellent hosts. We stayed at that site for another year (2004) after Rick and Mary sold it but determined it was time to move on since our fleet size had outgrown that venue's capabilities. The Islander Resort was an awesome find for us. While we like flat water, we also love sailing in the waves in the ocean and we've only had two recordable days of kelp in over 20 days of racing at the venue. It's really nice to come in from a day of sailing, rinse your boat off next to your room, and then head over to the pool, bar, and restaurant for a swim, a beer, and an excellent meal. I think several of the A-Class sailors are planning to stay for the Tradewinds event. It should be a great week of sailing.
Not meant to be a hijack of this thread, I'll move my comment elsewhere.
Mike