With two regattas on Charlotte Harbor under their belts, an international fleets of 2.4mR sailors will be back for another crack at its shifty winds and fickle currents.
Canada's Paul Tingley is one of the 2.4mR sailors expected to compete in the 2012 Charlotte Harbor Regatta, Feb. 2-5, 2012.
The 2.4mRs held a 19-boat 2011 Pre-Worlds Regatta at Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club in December and 22 sailors competed in the 2012 IFDS Worlds at Laishley Park Municipal Marina earlier this month.
Great Britain’s Helena Lucas took the Pre-Worlds title, while France’s Damien Sequin won his first IFDS Worlds title, breaking a three-year stranglehold on the honors by Holland’s Theirry Schmitter.
Now comes the 2012 Charlotte Harbor Regatta, set for Feb. 2-5, 2012. Teams from the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Puerto Rico, France and Finland have expressed interest in competing for defending CHR champion Bruce Millar’s 2011 title.
Ten additional classes, including the Sunfish, Laser, Precision 15, Flying Scot, Hobie Wave, Hobie 16, F16, F18, Weta trimaran and S2 7.9, are invited to the award-winning 3rd annual regatta.
Notice of Race posted for 2012 Charlotte Harbor Regatta
Building on a 26-percent spike in entries last year and riding a worldwide wave of interest in Charlotte Harbor, the 2012 Charlotte Harbor Regatta Notice of Race features 12 classes on four race circles for the Feb. 2-5, 2012 event. Online registration is now open at www.charlotteharborregatta.com.
The Hobie 16 class is one of five multihull fleets that will compete in the 3rd annual Charlotte Harbor Regatta, Feb. 2-5, 2012.
Low fees, free storage and parking, great hotel rates, generous sponsors and helpful volunteers make the Charlotte Harbor Regatta “the fun, affordable regatta.” After the inaugural 2010 regatta drew 65 boats in eight classes, the National Association of Sports Commissions recognized the 2010CHR as its “Best Local Event.” The Charlotte County Visitor and Convention Bureau honored regatta organizers with its 2010 “Event Development Award.”
Three new multihull classes were added in 2011 to form one of the largest multihull regattas in the country, with 55 boats. Six monohull classes – the Sunfish, Laser, Flying Scot, 2.4mR, Precision 15 and S2 7.9 – competing on two additional race circles brought the total number of boats to 82, making the Charlotte Harbor Regatta one of the fastest-growing regattas in the country.
The 2012 Charlotte Harbor Regatta will feature fast, competitive racing, exciting onshore activities and beautiful Southwest Florida weather. CHR2012 will come on the heels of a pair of international events to be staged on Charlotte Harbor, including the 2.4mR Pre-Worlds Dec. 8-10, 2011 at Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club and the 2012 International Association for Disabled Sailing World Championships Jan. 7-15, 2012 at Laishley Park Municipal Marina. Charlotte Harbor has been named by SAIL magazine as “one of the top 10 greatest places to sail in the United States.”
A $10 early registration discount and a $5 US Sailing member discount make the regatta even more affordable at only $60. 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.
For participant, media and sponsor inquiries about the 2012 Charlotte Harbor Regatta, e-mail event co-chairs Clif Kewley at c.kewley@charlotteharborregatta.com or Sarah Buck at sarahcommodore@live.com or go to www.charlotteharborregatta.com.
– Nov. 15, 2011
Fishermen’s Village returns as host sponsor for 2012CHR
The board of directors of Charlotte Harbor Regatta, Inc. is pleased to announce that Fishermen’s Village Resort & Marina will be reprising its role as host sponsor of the 2012 Charlotte Harbor Regatta, scheduled for Feb. 2-5, 2012 on Charlotte Harbor, Florida. As part of its sponsorship, Fishermen’s Village will be offering special “regatta rates” on its waterfront two-bedroom suites overlooking Charlotte Harbor.
Fishermen's Village Resort & Marina, Punta Gorda, Fla.
The Fishermen’s Village yacht basin was named as the 2008 Marina of the Year by Dock Age magazine and was designated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as a “Clean Marina.”
“The generous support of Fishermen’s Village was instrumental to the success of the inaugural Charlotte Harbor Regatta,” said regatta Chairman Brian Gleason. “We look forward to building on that partnership to continue to showcase Charlotte Harbor and its surrounding communities to the world.”
“The first two Charlotte Harbor Regattas were great successes and we are pleased to continue our partnership in this sailing event which promotes Punta Gorda and Charlotte Harbor as a premier boating destination,” said Fishermen’s Village Harbormaster Jim Branch. “Fishville will host receptions for the sailing crews, their families and event staff on Feb. 3 and Feb. 4. In addition, our yacht basin will offer free dockage for many of the participating sailing vessels and committee boats.”
Click here to friend Fishermen’s Village on Facebook
Fishermen’s Village’s Center Court will feature food, drink, music and camaraderie on Friday and Saturday night of the regatta. Regatta clothing and sailing gear will be available nearby from Coral Reef Sailing Apparel.
For information about Fishermen’s Village Resort & Marina, visit www.fishville.com or call 800-639-0020. Availability is limited, so book soon. For more information about the Charlotte Harbor Regatta, visit www.charlotteharborregatta.com or e-mail Brian Gleason at gleason@charlotteharborregatta.com.
Image Source: Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau
— BRIAN GLEASON, Sept. 29, 2010
3rd annual Charlotte Harbor Regatta set for Feb. 2-5, 2012
The 3rd annual Charlotte Harbor Regatta is set for Feb. 2-5, 2012 on Charlotte Harbor, Florida. Recognized by the National Association of Sports Commissions as its 2010 Outstanding Local Event, the Charlotte Harbor Regatta grew by 40 percent to 84 boats in 11 classes in 2011.
The 2012 Charlotte Harbor Regatta will feature the following classes: Sunfish, Laser, Precision 15, 2.4mR, Flying Scot, Hobie Wave, Hobie 16, Formula 16, Formula 18, Weta trimaran and WindRider trimaran. For more information, go to www.charlotteharborregatta.com or call Brian Gleason at 941-206-1133.
Inaugural regatta earns national recognition
Below is the press release from the Charlotte County tourism bureau about the award CHR Secretary Sean Doherty brought home from the National Association of Sports Commission’s annual meeting April 13. Kudos to Sean, Jennifer Huber and Liz Parker for all their support of the Charlotte Harbor Regatta from the very beginning. We know new tourism director Lorah Steiner will continue to strongly back our efforts, as her predecessor Becky Bovell did.
MEDIA RELEASE
INAUGURAL CHARLOTTE HARBOR REGATTA
RECOGNIZED AS ‘OUTSTANDING LOCALLY CREATED EVENT’
“A world-class harbor deserves a world-class regatta,” were the words Charlotte Harbor Regatta Chairman Brian Gleason said in 2010 when asked about his involvement in organizing the Charlotte Harbor Regatta. More than a year later and a second regatta completed, the Inaugural Charlotte Harbor Regatta, held Feb. 4 – 7, 2010, has been recognized by the National Association of Sports Commissions as an “Outstanding Locally Created Event for Budgets Under $100,000.” Sean Doherty, Sales and Sports Marketing Manager for the Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau, accepted the award during the NASC Annual Meeting in Greensboro, N.C., on April 14, 2011.
“We’re thrilled that the National Association of Sports Commissions has honored the scores of volunteers and dozens of sponsors and partners who have made the Charlotte Harbor Regatta such a successful event,” said Brian Gleason, chairman of the Charlotte Harbor Regatta and editorial page editor of Sun newspapers, “Our partnerships with multiple sailing and boating clubs, area businesses and local government agencies enables us to deliver on our promise to be the ‘fun, affordable regatta.’”
Sixty-five vessels representing 120 sailors in eight different classes of boats sailed in the inaugural regatta. Participants hailed from 13 different states including destinations as far as California and New York as well as sailors from Canada and the Cayman Islands.
The event’s success was largely due to the vision Charlotte Harbor Regatta’s Board of Directors had for the event. They committed to creating a regatta to showcase the level and diversity of sailing on Charlotte Harbor, operate a financially sound event, give back to the community in the form of monetary contributions to promote youth and adult sailing on the harbor, and differentiate and brand the event as the “fun, affordable regatta.”
Building on the inaugural event’s success, the 2nd Annual Charlotte Harbor Regatta held Feb. 3 – 6, 2011, saw a 30 percent increase in participation. The 2010 regatta’s success, in addition to SAIL magazine including Charlotte Harbor as one of “10 Greatest Places to Sail in the United States,” was also largely responsible for Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands being awarded the IFDS Disabled Sailing World Championships, scheduled for January 7 – 15, 2012 on Charlotte Harbor and will attract sailors from across the world to participate.
Follow the Charlotte Harbor Regatta on Facebook and Twitter (twitter.com/charlotteharbor).
About Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands
Located halfway between Tampa and Naples on the Southwest Florida Gulf coast, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands is a charming collection of nine coastal communities surrounding the state’s second largest harbor. Florida’s premier year-round eco-tourism destination, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands offers a pristine unspoiled beauty that has served as the backdrop for seven major feature films as well as countless memorable vacations. A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands has been named to SAIL magazine’s “10 Greatest Places to Sail in the United States,” ranked by Golf Digest as “Third Best Place to Live and Play Golf in America,” and rated by MONEY magazine as one of the “Best Places to Live in the South.” Port Charlotte was named “Best Place to Retire” by MONEY magazine in 2009. The city of Punta Gorda was named in 2008 as one of “Top Ten Places to Retire Healthy” by U.S. News & World Report. Englewood, Fla. was named as #2 of the Top Ten emerging travel destinations in the U.S. by TripAdvisor.com.
For information about area events, activities and attractions, contact the Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau, 18501 Murdock Circle, Suite 502, Port Charlotte, FL 33948; 941-743-1900, or call toll free at 1-800-652-6090 for a free Visitor’s Guide; or visit the Web site at www.CharlotteHarborTravel.com.
Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau: Jennifer Huber, Tourism Public Relations Manager, (941) 743-1900 or jennifer.huber@charlottefl.com
IFDS Worlds Ambassador shirts available
The 2012 IFDS Disabled Sailing World Championships will be held Jan. 7-15, 2012 on Charlotte Harbor, Fla. Show the world you support sailing on Charlotte Harbor and the inspiring efforts of the world’s elite disabled sailors by purchasing a 2012 IFDS Worlds Ambassador shirt. Proceeds from the Ambassador shirt will go toward staging this prestigious international regatta, which was held in 2010 in The Netherlands and will be staged later this year in Weymouth, England. The 2012 IFDS Worlds is one of the key regattas leading up to the 2012 Paralympics in England.
These collared shirts will be made of cool, comfortable, wrinkle-free microfiber fabric embroidered with the striking 2012 IFDS Worlds logo. Shirts will be available in white, yellow, blue and black. Shirts are $100. To order, print out the IFDS order form and mail it to IFDS Worlds, c/o Brian Gleason, 23170 Harborview Road, Charlotte Harbor, Fla., 33980. Make checks payable to Charlotte Harbor Regatta, Inc., which is the organizing authority for the event.
The 2012 Worlds will be staged at Laishley Park Municipal Marina in Punta Gorda, Fla. This will be the first “world championship” event in any sport ever to be held in Charlotte County. Are you ready to serve as a Charlotte Harbor Ambassador to the Worlds?
For more information, contact Brian Gleason at 941-206-1133 or gleason@charlotteharborregatta.com.
Tom Ray’s ‘Tropical Boating’ take on 2011CHR
Nobody provides as much consistent and entertaining commentary, travelogues, race recaps, video, photography and general slices of the sailing life on Charlotte Harbor as Tom Ray, chief bottle washer and jester at Tropical Boating. Tom’s report on the 2011 Charlotte Harbor Regatta is available here. Good work, Tom, and thanks for your support.
Stars turn out for 2011 Charlotte Harbor Regatta
SUNDAY, FEB. 6, 2011, CHARLOTTE HARBOR, FLORIDA – With a field full of champions past, present and future, the 2011 Charlotte Harbor Regatta wrapped up Sunday with a frantic scramble for the remaining undecided titles. With 84 boats in 11 classes, the Charlotte Harbor Regatta became the largest in the harbor’s history.
Port Charlotte Beach Park was a spectacle of multicolored sails each morning and afternoon, with 34 boats being rigged and launched, then retrieved by the nomadic band of high-level racers, such as Hobie 16 superstar Greg Raybon, who took 3rd in the Hobie 17 World Championships and former North American Hobie 16 champions Paul and Mary Ann Hess of Santa Clara, California. Paul Garlick, a multiple national champion in the Wave class and his equally accomplished wife, Kathryn, set up shop on Charlotte Harbor in their 60-foot Etincelle, Cool Cat 1, before embarking on a cruise to the Caribbean for the 2011 St. Maartin Heineken Regatta in March.
Future superstar 18-year-old Taylor Reiss showed why he is getting so much buzz, sailing to a third-place in the F18 class behind three-time North American champion John Casey and multiple national and world champ Robbie Daniels of Red Gear Racing.
“Entries were up 30 percent over our inaugural year and the star power was obvious in the results,” said regatta Chairman Brian Gleason. “In addition to the multihull talent, we had Paralympians, world champions and North American champs competing in the 2.4mR class, which will be one of the featured classes in the 2012 International Association for Disabled Sailing World Championships, set for Charlotte Harbor Jan. 7-15, 2012.”
David Hartman of Vero Beach, Fla., held onto his Day One lead, but Kevin Ratigan of Orlando, Fla., leap-frogged Dave Hillmyer of Sarasota, Fla., with two wins in the final two races in the Laser class
With Day One leader Bob McElwain out of the picture after winning three out of four races, Rita Steele of Sarasota, Fla., took charge in the Sunfish class Sunday and the overall title. Jim Richter’s steady eight-race effort earned him a second. Phil Mewhinney raced his way to third overall.
In the 2.4mR class, Bruce Millar of Victoria, British Columbia went wire to wire to claim the title and the 2011CHR burgee awarded to all class winners. Mark Bryant of Estero, Fla., was second and Dennis Peck of Port Charlotte was third.
Bob Sween of Punta Gorda, Fla., surmounted early troubles Sunday to post a second place in the final race to earn a one-point win over Jim Nuzzo of Punta Gorda, Fla. Sween reprised his victory in the inaugural Charlotte Harbor Regatta.
Racing in the Wave class was equally tight, with husband-and-wife team Paul and Kathryn Garlick of Apollo Beach, Fla., going 1-2. Mark Scarpelli of Put-in-bay, Ohio took third.
In the Hobie 16 fleet, former North American Hobie 16 champions Paul and Mary Ann Hess of Santa Clara, California, continued their winning ways. Dan Borg of Mississauga, Ontario and Mike Montague of Santa Rosa, Calif., were in second and third place.
Richard Stevens of Trumansburg, N.Y., stretched his Day Two lead over Tom Reese of Youngstown, N.Y., in the Weta fleet, while Ben Arthur of Ithica, N.Y., rounded out the Empire State sweep.
In the F16 class, Karl Brogger of Dennison, Minn., and Zachary Lynch of Treasure Island, Fla., finished 1-2, after Brogger pulled away on Saturday and stayed there Sunday. Seth Stern of St. Petersburg, Fla., took third despite a pair of wins on a furious final day charge.
John Casey of Longwood, Fla., and Robbie Daniel of Clearwater, Fla., kept their distance from the F18 fleet again on Sunday and went first and second. Taylor Reiss of Clearwater, Fla., was third
Paul Cocotos of Leonia, N.J., dominated the Flying Scot class all weekend, while Bob Knowles, switched classes and took second and Jack MacDonald finished third. MacDonald and crewmate Martin Holland did double duty all weekend as board members of the Charlotte Harbor Regatta.
Stepping in for Knowles at the helm of S2 7.9 Bama Slammer, Paul Robbins of Punta Gorda, Fla., and crew earned a second straight regatta burgee to join the 2010 version hanging in the Wheel Room of the Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club, one of the host venues for the event. Travis Yates, Sarasota, Fla., was second.
2011 Charlotte Harbor Regatta, Photo by Sharie Derrickson
Day 2 Results – 2011 Charlotte Harbor Regatta Features More than 80 Boats in 11 Classes
SUNDAY, FEB. 6, 2011, CHARLOTTE HARBOR, FLORIDA – An ominous overcast blew away by late morning and 84 boats in 11 classes swept across wind-whipped waves on Day Two of the 2011 Charlotte Harbor Regatta. The huge turnout of boats was swelled by the start of racing in the Sunfish, Laser, Precision 15, F16 and Wave classes Saturday. They joined the S2 7.9, Flying Scot, Hobie 16, Weta and F18 fleets, who took to the harbor again after an eventful Friday of competition.
Fifteen-knot winds out of the southwest was part of the challenge for the racers, with temperatures in the low 80s for most of the day.
David Hartman of Vero Beach, Fla., and Dave Hillmyer of Sarasota, Fla., went back-and-forth in the Laser class, with two firsts and two seconds apiece, while Bob McElwain established himself as the man to beat in the Sunfish class with three firsts in four races. Ryan Walsh of Fairhaven, Mass., trailed Hartman and Hillmyer, with three thirds among his finishes. Rita Steele of Sarasota, Fla., trailed McElwain by two points and Jim Richter of Hickory Corners, Mich., had 14 points to take third.
In the 2.4mR class, Bruce Millar of Victoria, British Columbia won all three races to capture first place overall going into Sunday’s final day of racing. Mark Bryant of Estero, Fla., was second with a two seconds and a third, while Dennis Peck of Port Charlotte was third.
Bob Sween of Punta Gorda, Fla., posted wins in both Precision 15 races and Dorrit Tompkins of Punta Gorda, Fla., was second each time. Competitors in the four-boat fleet out of the Isles Yacht Club in Punta Gorda are intimately familiar with each other after years of club racing. Sween is looking to repeat his victory in the inaugural Charlotte Harbor Regatta.
Racing in the Wave class was equally tight, with husband-and-wife team Paul and Kathryn Garlick of Apollo Beach, Fla., battling for the top spot after seven races. Paul prevailed with 25 points, including a first and four seconds, while Kathryn trailed with 27 points. Mark Scarpelli of Put-in-bay, Ohio was third with 33 points, including two firsts.
In the Hobie 16 fleet, another husband and wife team, Paul and Mary Ann Hess of Santa Clara, California, established themselves as the boat to beat with four wins and three seconds in eight races. Dan Borg of Mississauga, Ontario and Mike Montague of Santa Rosa, Calif., were in second and third place.
Richard Stevens of Trumansburg, N.Y., has a two-point edge over Tom Reese of Youngstown, N.Y., in the Weta fleet, while Ben Arthur of Ithica, N.Y., found himself third with a day of racing to go.
In the F16 class, Karl Brogger of Dennison, Minn., and Zachary Lynch of Treasure Island, Fla., traded firsts and seconds Friday, but Brogger pulled away on Saturday and is in command heading into Sunday, with Seth Stern of St. Petersburg, Fla., in pursuit with two wins Saturday.
John Casey Longwood, Fla., and Robbie Daniel of Clearwater, Fla., pulled away in the F18 class after Saturday’s races and will settle things Sunday. Taylor Reiss of Clearwater, Fla., sits third after eight.
Paul Cocotos of Leonia, N.J., took all four races to hold the top spot after the first day of racing in the Flying Scot class.
With Friday skipper Bob Knowles of Punta Gorda, Fla., moving over to the Flying Scot class for the weekend, Paul Allesandroni of Punta Gorda, Fla., took over the helm and held onto the S2 7.9 lead with two wins and two seconds, Travis Yates did likewise as Dave Flechsig of Port Charlotte, Fla., was forced to sit out Saturday with a hand injury.
All classes are scheduled to race again on Sunday, Feb. 6. Racing is schedule to begin at 10 a.m., weather permitting.
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Day 1 Racing Hot and Heavy in 2011 Charlotte Harbor Regatta
More than 40 boats in five classes kicked off the 2011 Charlotte Harbor Regatta in spectacular fashion Friday, Feb. 4, with leaders staking firm claims in some classes, while other fleets are up for grabs.
On light seas in 10-knot winds, all of the classes – S2 7.9, Hobie 16, Hobie Wave, Weta, and F18 – were able to finish four races. In the morning, dozens of spectators and volunteers saw the multihull fleet sail off from Port Charlotte Beach Park in a column of colors.
In the Hobie 16 fleet, Sean Tracy of Bradenton, Fla., posted three firsts and a third to take a lead over Greg Raybon of Shrewsbury, N.J., who won once and finished second twice.
Paul Garlick took control of the Wave fleet, with 10 points over four races. Kathryn Garlick stayed within sight with 14 points, while John Sherry found himself in third place with 17 points.
Results were tighter in the Weta class, with two of the nine racers separating themselves from the fleet. Tom Reese held a slim lead, with a first and a second among his four races, over Dick Hitchcock, who finished with also posted a win, but a DQ cost him the lead, with two days left to recapture it.
John Casey and Taylor Reiss grew more and more familiar with each other as the day wore on in the F18 class. Both won two races and finished second each time they didn’t win.
On another race circle, the five S2 7.9s put on a spectacular display of spinnakers visible from Ponce de Leon Park in Punta Gorda. Dave Flechsig of Punta Gorda, Fla., won the first two races, but retired before the fourth race to drop into third behind Bob Knowles of Punta Gorda, Fla., and Travis Yates of Sarasota, Fla. Knowles won twice but Yates posted four seconds to earn a tie for first place after Day One.
All results in all classes are pending a review of registrations and sail numbers and will be posted on this site.
The F16s will join the multihull class for the weekend and the Flying Scots, Lasers, Sunfish, Precisions and 2.4mRs will race for the first time Saturday, Feb. 5. The 2.4mRs, along with the Sunfish, Laser and Precision 15 classes will sail within sight of shore on both sides of the Peace River. The Sunfish and Lasers will stage out of the Charlotte Harbor Community Sailing Center in Punta Gorda, while the 2.4mRs will launch at the Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club and the Precisions from the Isles Yacht Club.
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Multi-hullo!
Winds in the teens and sun shining down made for a wonderful day of racing on Day One of the 2011 Charlotte Harbor Regatta. Four multihull classes and the S2 7.9 fleet launched the event with six more classes set to join them today as the regatta enters Day Two. With racers arriving from around the country, many of them weary of a long, wet winter up north, the 80-degree temperature and steady sun was a welcome respite. But it was wind these folks were interested in and Charlotte Harbor provided it in spades.
The S2 7.9 fleet waged its own battle west of the multihull circle, with Bob Knowles’ Bama Slama and Dave Flechsig’s Rooster Tail trading bullets, with Travis Yates’ Indigo sandwiched in between with four seconds. An injury-influenced DNS for Rooster Tail in Race 4 tipped the scales in Bama’s favor, with two days to go.
Scoring was still being finalized Friday evening in the multihull classes. Results will be posted Saturday morning and daily awards for Friday’s races will be presented tonight at Fishermen’s Village in Punta Gorda.
Among the highlights of the weekend racing is the first-ever competitive appearance on Charlotte Harbor of the 2.4mR class, one of three Paralympic classes that will compete in the 2012 International Association for Disabled Sailing World Championships on Charlotte Harbor this January. Current world champion Paul Tingley of Canada and 1993 world champion Nick Bryan-Brown, who winters in Port Charlotte, are among the entries, as is the Charlotte Harbor Community Sailing Center’s own Dennis Peck, a former Martin 16 U.S. champion.
For spectators, the addition of another racing area between Gilchrist Park and Bayshore Park will provide opportunities to view the action. Regatta gear will be available for sale at Fishermen’s Village all day Saturday and Sunday with proceeds benefitting the Charlotte Harbor Regatta in its mission to promote youth and adult sailing on Charlotte Harbor.
Storming the beach
As the number of entries in the Charlotte Harbor Regatta reached 82, the multihull classes stormed Port Charlotte Beach Park Thursday, with several trailers hauling multiple multihulls, including the six-boat Hobie 16 trailer pictured here.
Racing begins today (Feb. 4) with the S2 7.9s, Wetas, Hobie 16s, Hobie Waves and F18s taking to the water on two race circles. Additional sailors, boats and trailers will be arriving throughout the day, with six more classes, the Flying Scots, Lasers, Sunfish, Precision 15s, F16s and 2.4mRs, joining the action for Saturday and Sunday. The regatta, which was featured on the cover of the Feb. 3 edition of Waterline magazine and WGCU’s “All Things Considered” with Valerie Alker, is on pace to become the fastest-growing regatta in the country.
“It’s going to be ‘Katy bar the door’ next year,” quipped Jon Britt, the North American distributor of the Weta trimaran, which features nine entries so far, including new Florida dealer Dick Hitchcock.
It might be this year. Several weekend classes are known for same-day sign-ups and there are strong area Sunfish and Laser fleets in addition to an expected influx of competitors committed to attending who will sign up on site. A fleet of 100 sailboats, plus 25-plus power boats (just counting ones associated with the regatta) would be an historic spectacle on a harbor SAIL magazine named “one of the 10 greatest places to sail in the United States.”
Where would you rather be?
One of the Charlotte Harbor Regatta’s supporters shot this picture at sunrise at Port Charlotte Beach Park, where the massive multihull fleet will launch later this week. With early registration approaching 40 and fleet reps telling us more are expected to register on Friday or Saturday morning, the shoreline will be a spectacle never before seen at the beach.
Sailors coming to Florida from the snowbound Northeast and Midwest are writing us with thoughts of sun and warmth. “I can’t wait to get away from this $%&*@# snow,” wrote Ira Perry, who will be testing his J/29 skills on a Laser this week. Racing begins Friday for the S2 7.9, Hobie 16 and Weta trimaran classes. The F18 and Hobie Wave classes have an optional Friday start, with the entire fleet slated to join the early birds Saturday. There will be plenty of shoreside support from regatta beach volunteers, along with Jill Nickerson from F16 and F18 dealer Fun In the Sun and Andy Levine from Hobie dealer Tackle Shack of Pinellas Park. Local regatta supporter Jeff Dreschler will be on hand as he begins his quest to develop a Charlotte Harbor Hobie fleet.
We have lots of swag for participants, too. Hobie USA
shipped in two boxes of gear and Fun in the Sun will have goodies to give away as door prizes.
The Laser, Sunfish, Precision 15, Flying Scots, F16s and 2.4mR classes start Saturday morning. The Lasers and Sunfish will launch from the Charlotte Harbor Community Sailing Center on Retta Esplanade in Punta Gorda, while the 2.4mRs and the Flying Scots stage out of Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club and the F16 will be at the beach.
With a promising forecast calling for steady winds in the 10-13 knot range and midday temperatures in the low 70s, many racers on the fence about coming to Charlotte could push the scratch sheet toward 100 boats in the 11 classes. For more information, see the NOR or call Brian Gleason at 941-206-1133.
Flying Scots get a taste of Charlotte Harbor
A hardy fleet of 16 Flying Scots from across Florida battled a fierce cold front early Saturday afternoon on Day One of the Florida Flying Scot District Championship Series Race No. 4 on Charlotte Harbor. The 15-kt.-plus winds produced some casualties, but PRO Roger Strube got in two races before bringing the racers in for the day.
Flying Scot fleet at rest before doing battle with 20-knot winds and downwind sled rides.
The new Flying Scot Fleet 198 based at Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club was started by Jack MacDonald and Martin Holland, and has grown to seven boats, six of which were on the line Saturday as winds gusted past 20-knots and several boats went over.
War stories were flying in the Wheelroom at CHYC Saturday night as another high-profile event brought out the beast in Charlotte Harbor.
Steady 8-10-knot winds Sunday produced less hair-raising racing, with Chris Morgan claiming the overall event victory with 17 points.Go to www.wix.com/fleet198/198 for complete results.
Many of the sailors in the Flying Scot district points race fleet will reprise their performances in the Charlotte Harbor Regatta in less than two weeks. The Scots, one of 11 classes participating, will sail Feb. 5-6 out of CHYC.
Boats begin arriving for 2011CHR
“Greg Raybon and his son, Eric, dropped off a trailer full of Hobie 16s fresh off the multihull event in Islamorada. The Hobies will be one of the biggest fleets in the regatta, as the class is looking to establish another midwinter event for members in sunny Southwest Florida.”
Freaky weather that produced acrobatic sailing like this was the talk of the regatta in 2010
That was from a Jan. 18. 2010 post below. Like clockwork, the Raybon crew rolled into town Monday morning after the Tradewinds event on Islamorada in the Florida Keys. Six boats are aboard the Hobie trailer at a regatta sponsor’s secure storage facility. The Hobie fleet is expected to be in the teens, with high-caliber sailors including former North American Hobie 16 Champions Paul and Mary Ann Hess from California already registered.
F18 Class President David Ingram wrote to say he expected a 10-boat fleet from his class, which has created a five-regatta Zhik Winter Series that includes the Charlotte Harbor Regatta. Word-of-mouth at the Tradewinds event has produced a surge of interest in the multihull fleet in the Charlotte Harbor Regatta. The multihull circle, with five fleets, is expected to pass 40 boats. A strong eight-boat fleet of Weta trimarans, including North American distributor Jon Britt and Florida dealer Richard Hitchcock, is registered already. The F16 fleet is well represented by early birds including Class President Pete Pollard.
2012 IFDS World Championships set for Jan. 7-15, 2012
The executive committee of the International Association for Disabled Sailing and the board of directors of Charlotte Harbor Regatta, Inc., announced today that the 2012 IFDS World Championships on Charlotte Harbor, Fla., will be held Jan. 7-15, 2012. The 2012 IFDS Worlds will mark the first time that a world championship will be held in a Paralympic year.
The timing of the Worlds a week before the Rolex Miami Olympic Class Races, which includes the three Paralympic classes, is designed to maximize the top-level competition for sailors prior to the Paralympic Games, scheduled for September 2012 in Weymouth, England. The 2012 Charlotte Harbor Regatta, set for Feb. 2-5, 2012, will also be open to the Sonar, SKUD-18 and 2.4mR classes, providing three events with international-level competition over a three-week period in beautiful South Florida.
The first three days of the schedule — Jan. 7-9 — will be for classification, measurement, registration and practice. The opening ceremony and welcome dinner is set for 6 p.m., Jan. 9, with racing to begin Jan. 10 and run through Jan. 15. More details about the race schedule, onshore activities and logistics will be included in the Notice of Race, which will be released by the end of January.
Charlotte Harbor is located on the Southwest coast of Florida between Tampa and Fort Myers, both of which have international airports. The Port of Miami is about three hours southeast of Charlotte Harbor, for teams shipping containers to the Unites States for the regattas.
Four Points by Sheraton Punta Gorda is the host hotel for the event and team coaches and competitors are already reserving rooms at special regatta rates. More information about lodging, including disabled-accessible rooms is available by clicking on “Lodging” in the left-hand menu.
Laishley Park Municipal Marina is the host marina for the Worlds.
For more information, contact Brian Gleason at gleason@charlotteharborregatta.com.
— BRIAN GLEASON, Dec. 13, 2010
2.4mRs test their mettle against Charlotte Harbor
With a winter front pushing gusts above 30 knots, four of the best 2.4mR sailors in the world tested their talents against a windy and white-capped Charlotte Harbor Dec. 13, 2010. The quartet, which included 2010 World Champion Paul Tingley of Canada and 2010 Worlds bronze medalist Megan Pascoe of Great Britain, launched from the lift at Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club.
Helena Lucas sails out the channel at Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club for a training session.
That duo, plus Canadian 2.4mR class president Bruce Millar, who won the 2010 US Disabled Sailing Championships, and Helena Lucas from Great Britain, are in the midst of a busy midwinter regatta schedule, which saw the 2.4mR competitors racing in St. Pete from Dec. 3-5 and in Fort Myers from Dec. 7-11. A short break before the holidays and the Miami OCRs in January gave the sailors a chance to get a sneak peak of Charlotte Harbor ahead of the Feb. 3-6 Charlotte Harbor Regatta, which will feature an open 2.4mR class.
All four sailors are vying for spots on their countries’ Paralympic Games sailing teams. The Paralympic sailing events are scheduled for September 2012 in Weymouth, England and many of the world’s disabled sailors will return to Charlotte Harbor in January of that year for the International Association for Disabled Sailing World Championships Jan. 7-15, 2012. Former Paralympic Games competitor Paul Callahan, who now chairs the U.S. Sailing Council of Sailors with Disabilities, has been keeping one of his Sonars, “Sail to Prevail” at Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club, and advising Charlotte Harbor Regatta board members in his role as assistant technical delegate for the 2012 Worlds.
— BRIAN GLEASON, Dec. 13, 2010
Catamaran Sailor Magazine, Charlotte Harbor Regatta team up
The board of directors of the Charlotte Harbor Regatta has expanded its partnership with Catamaran Sailor Magazine. As the 2011 Charlotte Harbor Regatta approaches, look for Charlotte Harbor Regatta ads in the online and print editions of Catamaran Sailor Magazine, www.catsailor.com.
“Rick White and his team have been great to work with. Rick and Mary are extremely responsive to customers and passionate champions of multihull sailing in South Florida,” said Charlotte Harbor Regatta Chairman Brian Gleason. “The Wave class that participated in the inaugural Charlotte Harbor Regatta in February was a last-minute addition orchestrated by Rick and it proved to be one of the highlights of the regatta, which generated so much buzz due to the extreme weather and acrobatic sailing.”
Look for Catsailor and www.OnlineMarineStore.com logos online now and on-site at the Feb. 3-6, 2011 Charlotte Harbor Regatta. Look for race reports and sailor commentary on the dozens of forums featured on Catsailor, a must-see resource for regatta schedules, results, photos, videos and commentary on multihull racing around the world.
The 2010 Charlotte Harbor Regatta drew 65 boats in eight classes, including an oustanding multihull circle that featured 22 boats in the Hobie 16 and Hobie Wave classes. The multihull fleet will triple in 2011, with boats from the F16, F18 and Weta trimaran classes. Also participating in two additional race circles will be the Sunfish, Laser, Flying Scot, S2 7.9, 2.4mR and Precision 15 classes. More than 100 boats in 12 classes are expected to compete.
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.” One of those Worlds classes, the 2.4mR will be an eye-catching fleet seldom seen on Charlotte Harbor.
An early registration discount and a $5 US Sailing member discount make the Charlotte Harbor 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. Kids meal rates also available.
Virtually everything you need to know about the Charlotte Harbor Regatta, lodging, directions, registration, scratch sheet and a regatta store is available on our website at www.charlotteharborregatta.com. For participant, media and sponsor inquiries about the 2011 Charlotte Harbor Regatta, e-mail Brian Gleason at gleason@charlotteharborregatta.com.
— BRIAN GLEASON, Dec. 11, 2010
Charlotte Harbor Regatta gear now available
Help support the Charlotte Harbor Regatta and get quality logoed gear such as 2011 CHR T-shirts and Tervis Tumblers. T-shirts featuring the great Charlotte Harbor Regatta logo and the dates of the 2011 regatta and three different sized tumblers are available for purchase at Salon Art Works on Taylor Road in Punta Gorda and at the Sun office on Harborview Road in Charlotte Harbor.
Tervis Tumblers
The T-shirts go for $20 and are available in medium, large, extra-large and 2X sizes. The tumblers are available in 10-, 16- and 22-ounce sizes and cost $15, $17.50 and $20 respectively. Proceeds from the shirt and tumbler sales support the Charlotte Harbor Regatta, a 501(c)(3) organization that promotes youth and adult sailing on Charlotte Harbor.
The 2011 Charlotte Harbor Regatta is scheduled for Feb. 3-6, 2011 and will feature more than 100 boats in 11 classes, including the Viper 640, S2 7.9, Hobie 16, Hobie Wave, Weta, F16, F18, Flying Scot, Laser, Sunfish and Precision 15 classes. For information about sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, call 941-206-1133.
— BRIAN GLEASON, Nov. 24, 2010
Yes, the wind is still blowing on Charlotte Harbor
In case you were wondering, the wind is still blowing on Charlotte Harbor, as the participants in the Florida Sunfish Regional Championship discovered Nov. 6-7, 2010. Steady winds of 15-18-kts. and gusts above 20-kts. on Saturday produced wet and wild racing conditions as these shots show from Tom Ray of Tropical Boating.
Bow-to-stern racing at the windward mark during the 2010 Florida Sunfish Regional Championships, Nov. 6, 2010 on Charlotte Harbor. (Click to enlarge.)
Hiking was the order of the day for participants in the blustery conditions on Charlotte Harbor. (Click to enlarge.)
The Sunfish are among the 11 classes involved in the 2011 Charlotte Harbor Regatta, set for Feb. 5-6, 2011. For photos of this year’s CHR Sunfish fleet, scroll down to the slide show below or go to www.tropicalboating.com. Click here for Tom Ray’s superb photographic, video and narrative coverage of the Charlotte Harbor Regatta.
Thanks to Tom and all the great volunteers who are uniformly excited about the upcoming 2011 Charlotte Harbor Regatta. And good luck, Tom, with the inaugural Suncat Nationals this weekend, Nov. 13-14, on Charlotte Harbor. For more on this “breakneck” regatta, go to www.tropicalboating.com.
— BRIAN GLEASON, Nov. 12, 2010
Donate to Charlotte Harbor Regatta via PayPal
You can donate directly to the Charlotte Harbor Regatta using PayPal. Just click the yellow “Donate” button on www.charlotteharborregatta.com. Thanks for your support.
— BRIAN GLEASON, Nov. 7, 2010
Order your own Charlotte Harbor Regatta burgee
Competitors, volunteers, sponsors and fans of the Charlotte Harbor Regatta can commemorate the event and show their support with an embroidered burgee that will look great on the your boat, your office or store wall or your flag pole. The burgees are half-size versions of the 16×25-inch burgees awarded to regatta class winners.
Get your own Charlotte Harbor Regatta embroidered burgee for only $25!
The burgees are made from heavyweight, weatherproof nylon. The stainless steel grommets are embedded in a reinforced spine for durability and stability. The burgees are produced right here in Charlotte County by Punta Gorda Sailing Club Vice Commodore Barbara Cartwright’s Anchored Stitches Embroidery.
Priced at only $25, the burgees make a great gift or a reminder of a wonderful week of competition on beautiful Charlotte Harbor. To order your Charlotte Harbor Regatta burgee, send a check payable to Charlotte Harbor Regatta to Charlotte Harbor Regatta, 23170 Harborview Road, Charlotte Harbor, Florida, 33980. Please include a return mailing address on your envelop or a shipping address if different from your home address. Burgees are made to order, so allow four weeks for delivery.
— BRIAN GLEASON, Oct. 30, 2010
Charlotte Harbor awarded 2012 IFDS Worlds
Charlotte Harbor Regatta, Inc., has been chosen as the host organization for the 2012 Combined World Disabled Sailing Championships in January 2012. The regatta board of directors voted to accept the International Association for Disabled Sailing’s offer at a special meeting June 24.
“IFDS is delighted to announce the selection of Charlotte Harbor, Fla., as the site of the 2012 IFDS Combined World Disabled Sailing Championships,” said IFDS President Linda Merkle. ”Charlotte Harbor was named by SAIL magazine as one of the ‘Top 10 greatest places to sail in the United States,’ and we are fortunate to be going there. This promises to be an exciting venue for us and fulfills a long-time wish of sailors to hold a ‘Worlds’ in a Paralympic year. We welcome Charlotte Harbor Regatta, Inc., aboard and look forward to a successful event.”
The regatta will be staged at Punta Gorda’s Laishley Park Municipal Marina and other facilities around upper Charlotte Harbor. The 10-day event is expected to attract some 350 sailors, coaches, family members, race officials and media from all over the world. The IFDS is the governing body for all national disabled sailing organizations. The last time its world championships were held in Florida was 2001 in St. Petersburg. This year’s world championship is being held in The Netherlands.
“Along with numerous existing boating activities and events, such as the Charlotte Harbor Regatta, the Conquistador Cup and the Leukemia Cup, the IFDS World Championships would advance Punta Gorda towards becoming the premier waterfront community and boating destination in Southwest Florida,” said Punta Gorda Mayor Harvey Goldberg. “We appreciate this opportunity being afforded us by the International Association for Disabled Sailing.”
“The board of directors of the Charlotte Harbor Regatta is honored to accept the IFDS’s invitation to host such a prestigious international event,” said Charlotte Harbor Regatta Chairman Brian Gleason. “We look forward to working with our member clubs, volunteers, government partners and local business sponsors to stage a world-class regatta on our world-class harbor.”
Tourism officials expressed excitement over both the direct economic impact such an event will have as well as the international exposure it will generate for Charlotte Harbor as a top sailing and vacation destination.
“From a tourism perspective, this prestigious event will provide an enormous opportunity for us to promote our area as one of the world’s top sailing destinations to a worldwide audience of prospective visitors,” said Becky Bovell, executive director of the Charlotte Harbor Visitors and Convention Bureau.
— BRIAN GLEASON, Aug. 24, 2010
2nd annual Charlotte Harbor Regatta set for Feb. 3-6, 2011
The board of directors of the Charlotte Harbor Regatta has set Feb. 3-6, 2011 as the dates for the 2011 Charlotte Harbor Regatta.
After a super turnout of 65 boats and 120 sailors in the inaugural regatta, including strong, competitive Viper 640, Flying Scot and Hobie 16 fleets, the board of directors is planning for an even bigger showing from classes that participated in the 2010 event, plus additional classes anxious to see what all the buzz was about.
Glowing reviews have been received about the facilities and hospitality at the regatta host sites, Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club, Charlotte Harbor Community Sailing Center, Port Charlotte Beach Park and Fishermen’s Village Resort & Marina. The racing schedule is still to be determined, and the regatta will work with classes to finalize those plans. The Charlotte Harbor Regatta will kick off again with a Thursday reception at the CHYC, with some classes racing Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and other classes joining the action on Saturday and Sunday.
See you in February 2011!
— BRIAN GLEASON, Aug. 30, 2010
Charlotte Harbor Regatta and the ‘winter circuit’
With all the print and online publications available to sailors, it’s not easy for a newbie to get noticed, but the Charlotte Harbor Regatta has done just that. While we’re waiting for a big spread to come out in SAIL magazine in May, more buzz about CHR popped up on megasite Sailing Anarchy talking about the Charlotte Harbor Regatta’s place in a developing small-boat winter circuit. Let’s let SA say it:
“Twenties Roaring
For a decade, twenty footers were excluded from many of winter’s big events – notably, Miami and Key West – but that has all changed with a vengeance, altering the racing landscape forever. From this year’s successful Charlotte (FL) Harbor Regatta to the Shake-A-Leg regattas for both Melgi and Vipers, to the marketing and exposure muscle involved in the Bacardi Cup’s inviting the Vipers and Melges 20s and 24s to their dance, to the sportboat explosion in Charleston, a new winter circuit has formed in less than a year.”
The Charlotte Harbor Regatta board of directors is working to capitalize on the success of the 2010 event and the emergence of this “winter circuit” by arranging cheap or free storage so folks participating in two or more of the races can avoid the hassles of long-haul towing. The regatta’s Hobie 16 and Viper 640 classes each stored multiple boat in Charlotte Harbor before and after the regatta. The Hobie 16s arrived from Islamorada after the Tradewinds event and the Viper 640s stayed around after CHR before heading down to Miami for the Bacardi Cup.
CHR also scored big space on Sailing Scuttlebutt, which published a long article and photos about the regatta (www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/10/0302/), providing more exposure for the event and Charlotte Harbor. The regatta also has a fledgling blog at Sailmonster.com where readers can stay abreast of developments and posts get picked up by search programs such as Google Alerts and redistributed to inboxes around the world. Online networking is the secret sauce in the early success of the Charlotte Harbor Regatta. Keep an eye out for us on your favorite Web site, class forum or blog.
For information about classes participating in the 2011 Charlotte Harbor Regatta or to inquire about adding your class, call regatta chairman Brian Gleason at 941-206-1133.
Photos from Derrickson slide show available
Regatta photographer Sharie Derrickson chronicled all the action and excitement of the 2010 Charlotte Harbor Regatta with thousands of images of all eight classes on three race circles aboard Jay Buckley’s media boat.
Prints and CDs of photos from this slideshow are available from Derrickson. She can be reached at Sharie@the-write-resource.com.
— BRIAN GLEASON, March 9, 2010
2011 Charlotte Harbor Regatta dates set for Feb. 3-6
With the buzz still echoing from a spectacular 2010 Charlotte Harbor Regatta, the board of directors announced Feb. 3-6, 2011 as the dates for next year’s event. Festivities will begin Thursday evening with a regatta reception, with racing set to begin on Friday morning in several classes. The remaining fleets will join the action on Saturday and the event will wrap up Sunday with more racing and an award ceremony.
“We were thrilled with the response from the eight classes that participated in our inaugural event and want to make sure to get on class calendars as early as possible for 2011,” said Charlotte Harbor Regatta chairman Brian Gleason. ” We had 65 boats and 120 participants in our eight classes this year and we expect that number to double in 2011 as we add additional multi-hull and monohull designs and youth Optimist and Laser divisions. Plus, we already know from the feedback we’ve received that we’re going to see bigger turn-outs from our returning classes, such as the Flying Scots, Hobie 16s, Waves, Sunfish and S2 7.9s.”
Charlotte Harbor was ranked by SAIL magazine as one of the “10 greatest places to sail in the United States.” It has hosted the U.S. Olympic Soling trials and the U.S. Olympic windsurfing trials in addition to numerous one-design and PHRF regattas. Located on Florida’s Gulf Coast between Tampa Bay and Key West, Charlotte Harbor is surrounded by miles of undisturbed mangroves. Its shores also are dotted with historic Old Florida towns like Punta Gorda, Boca Grande, Englewood and Placida.
The 2010 Charlotte Harbor Regatta featured eight one-design fleets, including Flying Scots, Sunfish, Hobie 16s, Hobie Wave, S2 7.9s, Viper 640s, Precision 15s and Lasers.
For information about how to register your fleet or to inquire about the fleets already registered to race in the 2011 Charlotte Harbor Regatta, please contact Brian Gleason at gleason@charlotteharborregatta.com or 941-206-1133.
Please check back here frequently for updates on the Charlotte Harbor Regatta and we look forward to seeing you on Florida’s Sun Coast next winter.
— BRIAN GLEASON, Feb. 25, 2010
Photos from the front
Fleets fill Charlotte Harbor as regatta wraps up
After two days of heavy winds and high waves, Mother Nature delivered Chamber of Commerce weather for the final day of the inaugural Charlotte Harbor Regatta, Sunday, Feb. 7 on Charlotte Harbor, Florida.
More than 60 boats in eight classes, including two of the three Viper 640 vessels that broke masts on Saturday, started the day in picture-perfect sailing conditions. Shifting winds, not damaging gusts challenged skippers Sunday.
In the Viper 640 class, Brad Boston continued his winning ways to capture the overall victory ahead of Dan Gorman. Bill Abbott took advantage of his competitors’ misfortunes on Saturday to slip into third overall and held on Sunday to stay there.
Fred and Reid Hutchinson went 1-2 in the Sunfish class, while Rita Steele took third. The trio traded spaces in the Top 3 all weekend, but Fred Hutchinson’s consistency – a first, two seconds and two thirds — prevailed.
Randy Payne hangs from his Hobie 16 trapeze as strong winds powered the cat fleet through three days of spectacular racing on Charlotte Harbor. (Photo courtesy of Ron Norvelle.)
With two wins in the Hobie 16 class Sunday, Mike Montague vaulted past Day Two leader Kenneth Hilk, who dropped to third behind Randy Payne.
Rick White started strong Saturday with a win and finished the regatta the same way to take the overall title in the Hobie Wave class. Dave White and Stan Woodruff finished second and third, respectively, separated by a point after six races.
In the S2 7.9 race, Paul Robbins made a strong run at Alan Konegsberg with two wins Sunday, but fell two points short in the overall standings after nine often grueling races over the three days. Peter New took third.
Donna Steele bounced back from a second place finish on Saturday to win all three races Sunday to top Alden Spencer in the Laser class.
Harry Carpenter capped off four seconds with a win in the day’s last race to capture the title in the Flying Scot fleet, followed by John Selldorff and Jeff Penfield, who took third over Ira Perry with a tiebreaker win in the third race.
For full results, click on “2010 Results” in the navigation menu to the left.
— BRIAN GLEASON, Feb. 6, 2010
Wild weather greets Day Two racers
A second day of unusually strong winter winds tested racers and tossed up the standings on Day Two of the inaugural Charlotte Harbor Regatta on Charlotte Harbor, Florida.
The winds forced one class to abandon the course and snapped the carbon-fiber masts of two boats in another. Despite the challenging conditions, six of eight classes finished at least one race and Sunday’s forecast offers picture-perfect sailing conditions for the final day of racing.
Vipers bunch up at the start of of a race during the Charlotte Harbor Regatta. Damage may shrink the fleet after Saturday's punishing race. (Photo courtesy of Tom Ray.)
In the exciting Viper 640 class, winds in the mid-20s off Ponce de Leon Park made for thrilling, but hazardous racing. Brad Boston, who won four races Friday, was forced out of the action with a broken mast Saturday, as was Day One runner-up Dan Gorman. Into the void sailed Bill Abbott, who picked up a first place, followed by Jonathan Nye and David Guggenheim in the only race the Vipers could to get in.
Boston retained his overall lead and was working on a replacement rig in the parking lot of regatta host sponsor Fishermen’s Village Resort & Marina Saturday afternoon to get back into the fray on Sunday. By mid-afternoon, winds exceeded 25 and gusted higher and spectacular sea spray flew over the marina’s breakwater.
Five robust Sunfish racers took advantage of only slightly calmer air in the ironically named Peace River, to complete a wet and wild race on their first day of action. Fred Hutchinson took top honors, with Reid Hutchinson finishing second and Rita Steele third.
Twenty-one boats in both classes on the multihull circle completed two races, as the Hobie 16 and Wave skippers muscled their ways around a triangle course designed to account for the blustery conditions. In the Hobie 16 class, Ken Hilk retained his Day One lead over Mike Montague, but the latter got within a point of the leader with a win in the day’s final race.
The Hobie Waves joined the action Saturday morning and Stan Woodruff and Rick White traded firsts to stand at 1-2 going into Sunday’s racing. With many racers arriving after long drives in the wee hours of the morning, the fleet drew on coffee and bracing waves to fight through two races.
In the S2 7.9 race, Paul Robbins turned the tables on Alan Kanegsberg for his first “bullet,” or first place, of the regatta. Through two days, Kanegsberg leads Robbins, 9-6.
Alden Spencer, a recent high school graduate who crammed through a crash course in Laser sailing on the drive down to Charlotte Harbor from wintry Massachusetts, won the Laser class.
The strong Flying Scot fleet never got going in the face of 3-5-foot seas and squally puffs, their crews perched on the deck at the Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club, nursing refreshments and whetting their appetites for tomorrow’s racing, which start at 10 a.m. on all circles.
For full results, click on “2010 Results” in the navigation menu to the left.
— BRIAN GLEASON, Feb. 6, 2010
Brad Boston (left) and Rob Gorman duke it out on Day One of the inaugural Charlotte Harbor Regatta. Boston took three bullets to claim top honors for the day, while Gorman earned three seconds and a third. (Photo courtesy of Tom Ray.)
Tough conditions, tight racing
Winds gusting past 25 knots rocketed more than 20 teams around two courses on the first day of the inaugural Charlotte Harbor Regatta.
With three classes competing — Viper 640, S2 7.9 and Hobie 16 — steady strong winds and punishing gusts produced hair-raising action and more than a few wipeouts on the Hobie 16 circle.
In the S2 7.9 division, “Bama Slammer” captained by Alan Kanegsberg battled it out with “Soulshine II” skippered by Paul Robbins to take the top spot after day one.
In the Viper 640 class Brad Boston’s “Jackpot” placed first in all three races while “Tijuca,” captained by Rob Gorman, and “Black Mamba,” skippered by David Guggenheim, rounded out the top three.
Kenneth Hilk captured the top spot with Mike Montague securing second and Matt Bounds placing third in the Hobie 16 class.
The regatta continues today with five additional classes joining the action, including the Flying Scot, Sunfish, Hobie Wave, Precision 15 and Laser.
Charlotte Harbor Regatta
Top 3 finishers by class on Day 1 of the Charlotte Harbor Regatta, Friday, Feb. 5, 2010.
Hobie 16
1st, Kenneth Hilk
2nd, Mike Montague
3rd, Matt Bounds
S2 7.9
1st, Alan Kanegsberg
2nd, Paul Robbins
3rd, Peter New
Viper 640
1st, Brad Boston
2nd, Rob Gorman
3rd, David Guggenheim
— BRIAN GLEASON, JENNIFER HUBER, Feb. 5, 2010
Custom regatta forecast from WRI
Weather Routing Inc. is providing custom forecasts for Charlotte Harbor that offer detailed information participants need. Click on the WRI logo to get detailed information for every day (and night) of the event.
Weather Routing Inc. provides meteorological consulting, including forecasts and route planning for commercial fleets, private yachts and regattas. Six Charlotte Harbor Regatta participants will win certificates redeemable for your own custom regatta forecast for future events.
For more information about Weather Routing Inc., go to their Web site at www.seaweather.net.
— BRIAN GLEASON, Feb. 3, 2010
Charlotte Harbor draws raves as boats begin arriving
With less than three weeks to go before the first horn of the Charlotte Harbor Regatta, boats began arriving in Charlotte Harbor this week.
We spotted this post from Jonathan Nye from the Viper 640 class, who brought in his boat over the weekend just in time for some incredible sailing weather.
“Just dropped my boat off at Charlotte Harbor YC. If the regatta features weather anything like this weekend, it will be a special event. The bay is gorgeous and wide open. Winds in the high teens. All the locals who approached me were super friendly. Seems the Club is keen to make this a success. For anyone on the fence about going, I’d strongly encourage you to make the trip,” Nye wrote on the Viper 640 forum Jan. 18.
Less than a mile away, Greg Raybon and his son, Eric, dropped off a trailer full of Hobie 16s fresh off the multihull event in Islamorada. The Hobies will be one of the biggest fleets in the regatta, as the class is looking to establish another midwinter event for members in sunny Southwest Florida.
Sizable Flying Scot, Melges 24, Laser and Sunfish fleets are expected on three circles across more than four miles of wide open Charlotte Harbor for the three-day regatta, Feb. 5-7, 2010.
The exciting new Weta trimaran will also be on display, with North American distributor Jon Britt bringing in a fleet from North Carolina.
— BRIAN GLEASON, Jan. 18, 2010
Hobie Waves invited to join multihull class
With a growing Hobie 16 class, led by North American class race director Matt Bounds, in the Charlotte Harbor Regatta’s multihull class, and a number of Waves already in Florida for the Tradewinds event next weekend, the board of directors invited the Wave class to participate in our Feb. 5-7, 2010 event on Charlotte Harbor, Florida.
The Waves will race Saturday, Feb. 6 and Sunday. Feb. 7.
Charlotte Harbor was recognized by SAIL magazine as one of the Top 10 greatest places to sail in the United States. We have played host to numerous Soling Olympic trials and one-design regattas, including the International Sunfish Midwinters. We will have nine classes on three circles and nightly “regatta parties” at world-famous Fishermen’s Village Resort & Marina. Low entry fees and affordable hotel accommodations make the Charlotte Harbor Regatta, the fun, affordable regatta.
For information, go to www.charlotteharborregatta.com or call 941-206-1133. We look forward to seeing a fleet of Waves on Charlotte Harbor next month.
— BRIAN GLEASON, Jan. 4, 2010
Need crew/want to crew list added
Need crew or want to crew for someone in the Charlotte Harbor Regatta? We have added a “Crew list” page to the Web site where sailors and skippers can post their credentials and crew needs. Just click on “Crew list” in the menu to the left.
We will also take names, e-mails and phone numbers of available crew and boat owners to help match up available crew with available rides. Send crew requests or contact info to gleason@charlotteharborregatta.com. Check back often to find crew or a ride.
— BRIAN GLEASON, Jan. 4, 2010
CHR Day at West Marine, Jan. 30, 2010
West Marine will donate a portion of all sales at its Punta Gorda and Charlotte Harbor stores on Jan. 30, 2010 to the Charlotte Harbor Regatta. Support the regatta and stock up on all your sailing, powerboating and angling products all in one stop.
— BRIAN GLEASON, Dec. 16, 2009
Early bird drawing for Charlotte Harbor Regatta
Planning to race in the Charlotte Harbor Regatta, Feb. 5-7, 2010? If you register before Dec. 31, 2009, you’ll be eligible for a drawing for a three-night hotel stay. Join the hundreds of sailors expected to participate in this event on a SAIL magazine “top 10 greatest places to sail in the United States” harbor. Touted by organizers as the “fun, affordable regatta,” it doesn’t get more affordable than free. For information, go to www.charlotteharborregatta.com or contact regatta chairman Brian Gleason at 941-206-1133 or gleason@charlotteharborregatta.com.
— BRIAN GLEASON, Dec. 8, 2009
Regatta added to Viper 640 midwinter schedule
The Charlotte Harbor Regatta has been added to the exciting Viper 640 class association schedule, bringing the number of participating classes to eight on three circles.
The Viper 640 class is one of the fastest-growing fleets racing today. At Charleston, S.C. in April and Annapolis, Md., in September, there were 35 or more boats on the line.
Class president Justin Scott posted a glowing note on the calendar entry: “Between the Midwinter Championships and the NAs in Miami, please don’t forget to mark your calendar for a charming regatta at Punta Gorda on Charlotte Harbor on the Gulf Coast of Florida, from February 5-7.
There is a Viper start and this will be a rendezvous regatta with an emphasis on meeting friends and sharing tuning tips. The scenery is beautiful, the sailing is stunning, the accommodation is inexpensive and the [harbor] used to host the Soling Olympic trials. We have been promised a warm welcome.”
We couldn’t have said it better. Welcome Viper 640 racers and thanks for helping us make the Charlotte Harbor Regatta an awesome event.
The Viper 640s will join the Melges 24s and S2 7.9s on a fast and exciting outer harbor circle, while a multihull middle harbor circle will feature Weta trimarans and Hobie 16s and the third inner harbor circle will include Flying Scots, Sunfish and Precision 15s. We expect 100 boats or more to compete in this inaugural event, making it the largest regatta ever to be held on Charlotte Harbor.
— BRIAN GLEASON, Nov. 25, 2009
Boaters Alliance joins regatta as major sponsor
The Punta Gorda Boaters Alliance voted Thursday to become a major sponsor of the Charlotte Harbor Regatta. At its monthly meeting, alliance members approved a $500 donation to the regatta.
The Boaters Alliance is comprised of all the boating organizations in the area and works to improve safety, boating amenities and cooperation between marine organizations.
Outgoing president Len Harris, incoming president Sarah Buck and the alliance’s officers presented to the check to regatta chairman Brian Gleason at the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association.
“The idea for the regatta was presented first to the alliance in February,” Gleason said. “The response was overwhelmingly positive and gave us the confidence to move ahead with this regatta. This contribution further demonstrates the alliance’s commitment to staging a world class regatta and fulfilling our common missions of promoting boating on Charlotte Harbor.”
The alliance joins other major sponsors of the regatta, including Fishermen’s Village, Mosaic Fertilizer, PG Insure, Sun newspapers, West Marine, Microtel, Everglades Farm Equipment, Salon Arts Works, Webb, Lorah & Company CPAs, Place in the Sun Vacation Properties, Sleep Inn and Hotel Management of Port Charlotte.
— BRIAN GLEASON, Nov. 17, 2009
WRI to provide custom forecasts
Weather Routing Inc. will be providing custom updated forecasts for the Charlotte Harbor Regatta, scheduled for Feb. 5-7, 2010. The company’s Yacht Race Forecasting Service will provide a detailed synopsis of current and forecast weather conditions, as well as forecast wind and sea conditions. They also will provide precise information on currents and other weather phenomena which may affect your route during the Charlotte Harbor Regatta.
Click here to go to WRI’s home page and learn more about their forecasting services. The race forecasts will be posted on a dedicated Charlotte Harbor Regatta page that will be linked to our Web site.
— BRIAN GLEASON, Oct. 6, 2009
Charlotte Harbor Regatta gear now available online
Official Charlotte Harbor Regatta gear is now available for purchase online via our gear sponsor Coral Reef Sailing Apparel. From microfiber long-sleeve shirts to canvas totes to sunshield caps to neck gaiters, choose from dozens of items from the comfort of your living room or cabin — and support the Charlotte Harbor Regatta with every purchase. A portion of all sales will directly support the Charlotte Harbor Regatta and our clubs’ youth and adult sailing programs.
Click here or on the CHR 2010 Store link to the left to visit the Charlotte Harbor Regatta store and browse through top-of-the-line gear and apparel from suppliers such as Gill, Marmot and Columbia.
— BRIAN GLEASON, Aug. 17, 2009
King Fisher Fleet to offer regatta cruises
King Fisher Fleet, based out of Fishermen’s Village in Punta Gorda, will offer 90-minute spectator cruises on each day of the 2010 Charlotte Harbor Regatta. The cruises will begin at noon and cost only $14.95 (half price for children under 12 years of age). The regatta is scheduled for Feb. 4-7, 2010. Races will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
To get a “front row” seat for some exciting one-design sailing, contact the King Fisher Fleet at 941-639-2628 or email Capt. Ralph Allen at captain@kingfisherfleet.com. Click the King Fisher Fleet link to the right to get more information about fishing and sightseeing cruises.
— BRIAN GLEASON, Aug. 14, 2009
NOR posted, registration open
The Notice of Race has been posted and registration is now open for the 2010 Charlotte Harbor Regatta. Online and mail-in registrations will be accepted, but the best way to get in the race is to enter online by clicking the Registration link to the left. Online registration is being handled by the U.S. Sailing Regatta Network. You may also pre-order Charlotte Harbor Regatta gear through Coral Reef Sailing Apparel at the CHR 2010 Store. Sailing instructions will be posted prior to the race and distributed at the Feb. 4 skippers’ meeting (Feb. 5 for Sunfish).
For accommodations at Regatta Rates, please click the Lodging link at left. For information or questions, please e-mail gleason@charlotteharborregatta.com.
— BRIAN GLEASON, July 20, 2009
| Thanks to King Fisher Fleet for providing up-close views of the racing in the Charlotte Harbor Regatta. Click on their logo to find out how you can see the rest Charlotte Harbor has to offer.
Click below to get the latest weather forecast for Charlotte Harbor courtesy of Weather Routing Inc. Yacht Racing Forecasting Service.
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Participating classes (as of Jan. 23, 2010)
Flying Scot |
S2 7.9 |
Sunfish |
Weta Trimaran |
Hobie 16 |
Hobie Wave |
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Viper 640 |
Laser |
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