RACING CALENDAR 30th Annual Ron Diaz Rum Rumgatta Regatta, Tampa Sailing Squadron Apollo Beach, FL, Oct. 12-13 One of the oldest events in Tampa Bay. Racing on Saturday in Multihull, Spinnaker, Non-Spinnaker, One-Design, Racer Cruiser, True Cruising and Mother Lode. The Mother Lode class is designed to provide an easy, safe pursuit race around a comfortable course. Boats are assigned a competitive rating based on their equipment and the captain’s experience. It provides a way for non-racers to join the regatta and compete for trophies. The One-Design fleet may include J/24s and Flying Scots. On Sunday is the Women’s Rumgatta Regatta. Saturday after-race Ron Diaz Caribbean “Par-Ti” featuring music, rum libations, and dinner—all sponsored by Ron Diaz Rum. For information and NOR, go to www.sail-tss.org.
7th Buzzelli Multihull Rendezvous with 34th Stiletto Nationals, Sarasota Sailing Squadron, Oct. 18-20 Open to all multihull sailboats, the three-day event starts on Friday with the long-distance race, which is optional for all except those competing in the Stiletto Nationals. Awards ceremony takes place on Sunday, the last race day. Courses will be on Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, weather dependent. In previous years, participants have come from 17 states and the Dominican Republic. More than 70 boats usually compete in eight classes: Stilettos, Corsairs, Formulas, Hobies, Nacras, WindRiders, Hobie Waves, Wetas, and a variety of other multihulls. WindRider trimarans holds a WOW (Windrider Owners Weekend) event with tips and ideas for customizing the boats. For the last two years, Jim Brown, designer of Jim Brown trimarans (and the WindRider), came to the event to speak. At this point (press date in early August), there is no decision on whether he will be returning this year. Other activities are in the planning to fill the schedule with great racing at a great venue with great boats to have great fun. Complimentary camping, docking, launching, and parking are available at the Squadron, which can be reached at (941) 388-2355. For more information, go to www.BuzzelliMR.com, or contact the Sarasota Sailing Squadron at (941) 388-2355.
37th Clearwater Challenge, Clearwater Yacht Club, Oct. 19-20 This is a keelboat race in the Gulf of Mexico off Clearwater. Competitors are usually invited to the club to use the bar and dining facilities the previous week with free dockage provided for this period. Many sailors compete in the Davis Island regatta to Clearwater the weekend before and leave their boats there for the Challenge. 62 October 2013
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In the past, they usually have two days of buoy racing with the Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker boats racing windward-leeward on one course north of Clearwater Pass and the Racer/Cruisers, True Cruisers and Multihulls race various courses with reaching legs south of Clearwater Pass. But this year, they are considering alternatives. Contact the club for details. For more information, and to register online, go to www.clwyc.org, or call (727) 447-6000.
13th Annual Sarasota Yacht Club Invitational Regatta, Nov. 2 This regatta includes a windward/leeward race in the bay for Spinnaker and One-Design classes, with a 12-mile pursuit race in the Gulf of Mexico west of Big Sarasota Pass for Non-Spinnaker, True Cruising, Racer Cruiser, Pocket Cruiser, and Multihull. Five or more boats may make a class. The random leg course rating will be utilized. Skippers meeting and a party will be held Friday evening. A continental complimentary breakfast will be available Saturday morning, and racing will begin around noon. An after-race party with dinner and awards presentations will be held Saturday evening. This is a Sarasota Bay Boat-of -the-Year event. For the NOR and online registration, go to www.sarasotayachtclub.org. (941) 365-4191. SYCInvitational@sarasotayachtclub.org
Gulf Race @ PAG, St. Petersburg Yacht Club (Beach Location), Nov. 2 This is a Suncoast Boat of the Year and St. Petersburg Ocean Racing Challenge event. This new event will be a one-day regatta featuring random-leg courses for all classes in the Gulf of Mexico between Pass-a-Grille and John’s Pass entrance markers. For contact info, NOR, and entry forms, go to www.spyc.org, click on Regattas drop down menu.
Avow Hospice Regatta, Marco Island, FL, Nov. 16-17 The Avow Hospice Regatta, sanctioned by the National Hospice Regatta Alliance and a “Boat of the Year” race, will take place in the Gulf of Mexico near Marco Island on Nov. 16-17. Proceeds will support Avow Hospice, Inc. a non-profit hospice care organization founded in 1983. Sailing teams are also encouraged to compete in the Winds of Hospice fundraising competition. The skipper of the boat raising the most funds and the individual who raises the most funds for Avow will be recognized with a Winds of Hospice award. The winner of the 2013 Avow Hospice Regatta will represent Avow in the Hospice Regattas National Championship planned to take place in St. Petersburg, FL, in April 2014. For more information, contact racing co-chairs Lois Dixon at (515) 205-7047, or Chuck Downton at (513) 2054608. Or call Avow at (239) 649-3697, or visit www.avowcares.org. www.southwindsmagazine.com