2008 Swift Solo North American Championships and Clinic April 12 though 20, 2008
Robert has asked me to Chair our 2008 North American Championship at Fort Desoto.Bill Scheumann has agreed to Co-Chair this regatta with me.I look forward to working with Bill and think we'll have fun putting together a great event. It’s exciting to see our class growing quickly again and the prospect of making it to Fort Desoto in mid April should provide extra inspiration to our builders in the north to get-er-done.With a record number of Swifts being completed, 2008 is the year that we can make a statement to the sailing community with really good attendance.By my count, we have 27 Swifts in North America that are either sailing or likely will be by April.We’d like to ask everyone to put this event at the top of their priority list. Bill has agreed to work on attendance from the East and I will twist arms out West. www.single-handedskiffs.com (this site)will be the official website for the regatta. We will start a list of Swift attendees and volunteers and post that information on this website.If you are one of the 27 builders or owners, please check in with your attendance intentions (now that the dates have been set, please check in again even if you already have). We need volunteers to run power boats and to help with the clinic.We will be looking for a press person to report daily results to Scuttlebutt and Sailing Anarchy and to write an article for Sailing World.We will also be looking for photographers and video people (we’ll try to twist Peggy and Roxanne's arms again for some more great shots). Proposed agenda: Thursday afternoon and Friday April 10 and 11.Early arrivals will get rigging help Saturday April 12Check-in, help with minor rigging issues for newcomers, informal on shore clinic, Welcoming party Sunday April 13On-the-water help/clinic for newcomers.Informal rabbit start racing for those wishing to participate with de-briefing afterward. MondayApril 14.On shore and on water clinic with emphasis on boat handing during starts and mark roundings.Sponsored diner TuesdayApril 15Lay day and free sail.Spend the day with your family enjoying the island after a quick morning sail. Wednesday April 16 Skippers meeting at 10 am Racing starts at 11:30am.Sponsored diner. Thursday and Friday April 17 and 18Racing starts at 11 am Saturday April 19.pack it up and say goodbye
Great news, Dave Ellis has agreed to be our Race Official/Committee again this year. Those of us who were at last years event will be especially excited because of the great job Dave does.
