If you are hung-over who cares! Bite the old upper lip and go for it. When you win there will be the hair of the dog in the trophy bottle. Only a week to race day.

The nice thing about the TBCSI Hangover Distance Regatta at Dunedin Causeway is the options of courses they can run and the nice proximity of land the entire trip. Using the Gulf of Mexico and Intercostal Waterway gives the options of around Anclote Island for the long trip, around Three Rocker Island for the medium trip, around Honeymoon Island for the short trip, and around some buoys for the final tuning. These islands are in a row north of the causeway. Halfway through they can even change the course to match the current conditions. In a pinch you could even stop halfway and load up the boat from the east side of the causeway which is only about 200 yards from where you started. The primary beach offers a no cost, no hassle launching area. Just back the car up and drop the boat. To see a chart of the area go to http://mfproducts.nos.noaa.gov/images/charts/11412_1.gif
The race starts on the causeway that connects the main land with Honeymoon Island. Hit the expand button and look for Hurricane Pass. Anclote is the last island at the top of the chart. For a road map of the area go to
http://www.angelfire.com/extreme4/tbcsi/mapofarea.html

The weather forecasters are never right but the current crystal ball readers are predicting a high of 75 a low of 58 and a 10% chance of showers for New Years Day. The water is in the low 60's. Now that is cold for us but that is a lot better than 6 to 12 inches of snow and a high of 30 with ice. Just ask anyone form the north.

Being a tourist area there is plenty of action New Years Eve in the surrounding areas and the off season lodging rates are great for the out of Towner's.

Come join the Tampa Bay Catamaran Sailors Club on New Years Day for the Classic Hangover Regatta that has been a tradition for years. This is a one day combination distance buoy race for all beach cats that depending on the weather goes up to about 50 miles for the big boats and about 25 miles for the high Portsmouth boats. It's a great way to start off the new year. Off the pristine waters of Dunedin Causeway Florida around Anclote and Three Rocker islands respectively, around a couple of buoys and back to hot chocolate and food. Oh yea, Champaign for the winners.

Let us know if you are coming so the concession stand can be prepared with our food at the end of the race.

Thanks,
Terry & Judy
tornado02@prodigy.net