You read that right, I'm offering you a free Italian vacation. So whats the catch you say? Do I have to sit through a time share pitch? No, no time share pitches. Well then, how could it be free? Nothing is for free, you say. You're right there is a catch, I lied. The catch is that you have to go sailing while you are in Italy. Whats that you say? You like to go sailing? Well then, you are in luck.

The ICCT just announced that they will cover the cost of travel and they are providing rooms, meals and boats. So basically this is a free sailing vacation if you are willing to sign up for this event. Btw, when they did this in Newport, the sailors stayed in rich people's mansions.

Opportunities like this dont come along every day. Ok, they never come along. Unless you're a pro, which you're not.

According to the US teams that went to the last Rimini regatta, they were treated like rock stars from the moment they got off the plane. I saw the pictures from the last Rimini regatta, most of them were of the partying. The Italians know how to have a good time, I'm pretty sure you will too.

So, you dont speak Italian? You dont know the match racing rules? You are all tied up in the LAC nickname arguement thing and dont want participate? All of these excuses are very lame.

But hey, just for kicks lets look at the positives here.
- Its basically free
- You get treated like a rock star (literally)
- Its being held in Rimini - Rimini has a reputation as a hot party spot and its beautiful.
- You get to go to Italy and be shown around by locals (again think Rock star)
- You get to sail with Olympic medalists and other world class sailors. You might learn something.
- The boats are provided, rigged and ready, probably at waters edge.
- And they are giving out prize money if you win, but you wont, so you shouldnt consider this one, sorry.


Ok, I understand, its no fun unless you have to drag your old boat on your old trailer a couple hundred miles and sleep in a bad hotel and then spend a bunch of time rigging your boat and then pay through the nose for meals. And its so much better to spend your own money on a European vacation.

I cant register for you, you have to do that yourself.

Bill

I had a look at the 18HT web site and I can confirm Bill's statements:

7 days of free boarding and lodging in Rimini, plus free charter boats and a contribution of USD 1,300 for yr travel expenses if you register for the ICCT;

5 days more of free boarding and lodging plus free charter boats if you register also for the 2005 18HT International Championship to be held just before the Little America's Cup.

In all a 12 days fully inclusive vacation and the opportunity to compete with some of the best catamaran sailors worldwide.

there has to be a catch.

You have to pay the airfare to get there and back (that is, if you want to come back).

Ahh, I've finally found a reason to use that buddy-pass.

Whoops, I just saw they are paying part of the airfare, too. You have no excuse not to go, Maugan.

There are much better sailors out there more qualified to spend that money than I

I bet that an enterprising crew could line up a driver that would keep them both competitive.

Hi Bill

Looking forward to see you guys!
And it is not some of those 1. April fools

It will be an exiting time then.

Do you have to know how to sail?

They are allowing up to 10 teams to compete for the right to defend. Knowing how to sail and having some knowledge of the match racing rules would be a requirement.

Having a winning resume would also be helpful.