Announcing the 2003 Area D Eliminations on November 1 and 2, 2003 at the Ocean Springs Yacht Club, Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Mark your calendar - the NOR will be posted at US Sailing soon. This is also shaping up to be the Hobie Division 15 Championship. OSYC is about two hours west of Pensacola, about one hour east of New Orleans.

Great venue - a real party fleet. Very friendly people at this club. The bay is protected by barrier islands with flat water, right across the bridge from exciting Biloxi. Great hotels range from the Super 8 to the Beau Rivage (pure luxury in a casino hotel). Just like last November - two days of racing will be scored by fleet and overall to determine who will represent Area D in the 2004 Alter Cup. Five pre-registered boats make a class.

You can anticipate a change in the petition procedure next year - participation in your Area Eliminations will be expected if you want to go to Alter Cup, and the Committee will be scrutinizing submissions for a reason why a team skipped their qualifying event.