The Great Texas Catamaran Race will be the first ever off-shore beach catamaran race along the Texas Coast. Starting in South Padre Island and finishing in Galveston, the race will cover approximately 300 miles along the Texas coast over the Memorial Day weekend. The race will be conducted in four stages with each stage starting and ending on the beach!

Schedule:
Friday May 23, South Padre Island to Padre Island National Park (78 nm)
Registration 7-8:30.
White Flag at 10 am – ETA approximately 5 pm
Saturday May 24, Padre Island National Park to Matagorda Island (82 nm)
White Flag at 10 am – ETA approximately at 5:30 pm
Due to remoteness of the finish spot, sailors will camp on Matagorda Island.
Sunday May 25, Matagorda Island to Surfside (75 nm)
White Flag at 10 am – ETA approximately at 4:30 pm
Monday May 26 (Memorial Day), Surfside to Galveston (25 nm)
White Flag at 10 am – ETA approximately 1 pm
Awards at 3 pm

Boats: The race is restricted to production beach catamarans between 18-22 feet with a maximum 10 foot beam. In addition, due to the distances the boats will required to carry a spinnaker. US Sailing base rating numbers will be used for handicapping the boats. Awards will be based upon total handicapped time. Only one set of sails will be allowed during the race except for replacement due to significant damage.

Registration: Only experienced sailing teams will be allowed to participate in the race due to the potential danger of the race. (Sailors may be required to submit a sailing resume to prove experience.) Registration covers race fees only (excludes food, beverages and T-shirts). Fees as listed below:
$95 by Feb 1, 2003
$150 by March 1, 2003
$200 by April 1
$250 after May 1
Starting sequence for the first day will be determined by order of registration. (All registrations received before Feb 1 will put into a draw to determine initially starting order.) Send Registration Fee to PI Sailing at 4002 Ave C, Austin, TX 78751. (Request an e-registration form from Steve Piche at [email]steve@pisailing.com.)[/email]

Warning: This race is to be conducted on small craft on the open ocean. Severe weather, accidents or equipment failure could lead to potentially dangerous or lethal situations especially along remote ocean areas such as those encountered on this race. In addition, no support boats will be provided to aid sailors in need of help. Therefore, sailors must understand the significant risks associated with the race and only participate if they accept these risks. Safety equipment including VHF, GPS, flashlight, cell phone and safety lines will be required to participate in the event. As a condition of entry, sailors will be required to sign a release. Waiver, required safety list and race rules will be made available by March 1.

Hosted by PI Sailing. For more information see www.pisailing.com or contact Steve Piche at 512-206-0729 (steve@pisailing.com).