Great Texas Catamaran Race June 11, 2008 - June 14, 2008

This year the Great Texas Catamaran Race promises to be another great race. We are pleased to announce some changes to the race format that will have more teams traveling to the Texas Coast to compete in this premier 4-day long distance beach catamaran race, covering more than 300 miles of the Texas Coastline from South Padre Island to
Galveston.

The new changes involve running additional classes and a change in beam restriction from a maximum of 9 feet to 12 feet. There are 12 F18 and an Inter 20 teams already committed, and the beam restriction change will allow ARC22 and Tornado crews to compete. Awards for each class will be given in addition to the First to Finish trophy.

Andrew Burnard, Commodore of the Great Texas Fleet, said "this a great change to the race format, and more teams are looking to compete. With sponsorship from the Texas City Dyke Yacht Club, Catamaran Sailor Magazine, RuffRider, Team Chums, Mariner Sails and Hotshot Photos, we
will be having a great event this year".

This year Billy Richnow will be Principle Race Officer. He recently ran the F18 Nationals in Galveston, helping make the race another great Texas catamaran sailing success.

More information can be found at GT300.com

Looking forward to seeing you on the beach!

Thanks for the update Melissa. Incase any of you are curious about the change, we did this to allow the Tornados to compete as well as the ARC22. We have had increased interest in the event from the Tornados in the past, and now the ARC 22's. The format was broken down into classes now since the Portsmouth numbers don't work as well for distance racing. As it stands now, we have and F18 class and Nacra 20 class as Melissa stated as well as an open class. If 5 or more of the same class boat enter (like the Tornado) they will get a class as well. Each boat is required to be class leagal and will be checked. As of today we actually have about 5 Nacra 20's to add to the list of competetors. If you are thinking of doing this one, it's a blast. The first two days are 100 plus milers but we finish in about 6-7 hours. I think 5.5 hours is the course record so far. It's a drag race with the chutes running full throttle!

See ya on the start line!

Lee Wicklund/Vice Commodore GT300