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 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.