2010 Charlotte Harbor Regatta
Feb. 3-7, 2010
Charlotte Harbor, Florida

Haven't sailed this SAIL magazine "top 10 greatest places to sail" harbor? The 2010 Charlotte Harbor Regatta will feature optimal racing conditions in early February, a week of onshore activities and amenities for all ages of crews, owners and their families and a slew of waterfront hotels, restaurants, shops, parks and marinas to accommodate every need and whim. We've already received strong interest from the regional Melges 24, A-Class cat, Laser, Sunfish, Flying Scot, J-22 and J-24s fleets.

This event, run by a not-for-profit organization, is a midwinter dream for Northeastern, Midwestern and Mid-Atlantic sailors and their families, as well as for Florida-based racers looking to test their mettle. Disney World is three hours to the northeast via major interstates and Miami is the same distance to the southeast. Sarasota's world famous Siesta Key is 45 minutes away and Tampa Bay is 90 minutes, door to shore. A dozen hotels will be offering regatta rates for competitors. Storage, launch/lift facilities, marinas and chandleries are conveniently located on and near the harbor.

If you like 10-20 kt winds, 10 miles of open water within Florida's second largest harbor, tell your fleet reps to ask about the 2010 Charlotte Harbor Regatta now. We expect to reach our goal of bringing in six or seven fleets with 10-20 boats by midsummer. A PHRF series is also planned for the weekend.

Charlotte Harbor has hosted the U.S. Olympic Soling trials and the U.S. Olympic windsurfing trials in addition to numerous one-design and handicap 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.

For information about how to register your fleet or to inquire about the fleets already registered to race in the 2010 Charlotte Harbor Regatta, please contact Brian Gleason at gleason@sun-herald.com or 941-206-1133. Please check back here frequently for updates on the Charlotte Harbor Regatta and at our Web site www.charlotteharborregatta.com. We look forward to seeing you on Florida's Sun Coast next winter.

Brian Gleason
Charlotte Harbor Regatta
23170 Harborview Road
Charlotte Harbor, Florida 33980
gleason@sun-herald.com
941-206-1133

NOTICE OF RACE POSTED, REGISTRATION OPEN

FOR 2010 CHARLOTTE HARBOR REGATTA

It’s been a whirlwind five months, but July 20 marks a milestone for the Charlotte Harbor Regatta with the posting of the Notice of Race and the opening of our registration site for the Feb. 4-7, 2010 event.

With low fees, free slips, great hotel rates, generous sponsors and lots more, the Charlotte Harbor Regatta promises to be the fun, affordable regatta. Five classes already have committed – Flying Scot, Hobie 16, Weta trimaran, S2 7.9 and Sunfish – and there has been strong interest from class officers and members from several more classes, including the J/24, Melges 24 and Viper 640 classes.

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 class compatibility and size. The race committee will work with class officials who want to incorporate regatta results into yearly or seasonal points series. Several classes already have sanctioned the Charlotte Harbor Regatta as a class event, including the Flying Scot, Hobie 16, S2 7.9 and Weta trimaran classes.

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.

Virtually everything you need to know about the Charlotte Harbor Regatta is available on our Web site at www.charlotteharborregatta.com.

Participants may register and pay online via our US Sailing Regatta Network applet or print out a registration form and mail in your entry and payment. The Web site 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.

If you have any questions about the Charlotte Harbor Regatta, e-mail Brian Gleason at gleason@sun-herald.com.

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

Brian, I was greatly anticipating attending the regatta in Charlotte Harbor with the other members of Fleet 86 in Tampa, however the unfortunate timing of the event - right on top of the J/24 Midwinter Championship at Davis Island will likely be a problem for most of our competitors.