Any thoughts on making Tradewinds a three day regatta next year? Sat-Mon with Monday being MLK day where many already have vacation?

With such a long drive it's hard for me to make an excuse to come all the way down there for a 2 day regatta. Had Tradewinds been a 3 day regatta it would have been much more attractive. Then if you get blown out one day it still can be an event worth the trip.

It seems as though many of the larger regional events are going to 3 days such as Catfight and Springfever. I think the time of year that Tradewinds is would be a great draw for this type of regatta.

It would require race committee for an extra day but not much else. I don't see any reason to add in extra meals or anything.

What do others think? I can just say that for myself I'd have been more interested in dusting the snow off the boat had Tradewinds been a 3 day regatta.

Mike Hill
www.stlouiscats.com

It could happen, although I don't know many people that have MLK as a vacation day...

Why not leave your boat down here after Steeplechase, and just fly down for Tradewinds? Have someone take it to Georgia for Spring Fever, and you're golden!

Yeah, you could leave the I 20 set up in my back yard, I'll gladly "watch" it for you...

You'll come if its a 3-day?

Leave it as is.

Isnt there lots of playing around friday?

There was a good lineup of F18s practicing starts. There was even a short windward leeward course that people were going around.

I also think that, "as is" is perfect.

Before the Tradewinds becomes a 3-Day event, there is a need to find better launching facilities. There probably would have been at least 5 A-Cats racing at the Tradewinds this year had it not been for the overcrowding at Gilberts and the weather.

Jennifer

Why not have it where the A cats were racing??

Isnt Gilberts Sold anyway? Wasnt this year the last year for Tradewinds?

It's not the last year for Tradewinds. It's just the last year for holding it at Gilbert's.

As far as the 3 day thing...what about this: Schedule it for Sat, Sun and have MLK day available if either of the other two is non-sailable. Get in at least 6 races (3 per day) or more if the wind permits. I have never liked coming in to the beach at 1-2pm, on the second day of a regatta, when the wind is usually just getting good. But I only have to drive 3-4 hours.

Many folks forgo MLK Monday in favor of Earl Ray's B-Day, perhaps Friday, Saturday and Sunday would be better. Not that it is right or wrong, just different.

Ohhhh, I'm telling! You are in so much trouble now!

Thats what I meant. Thanks for clearing that up.

What?????

I think it's certainly worthy of a 3 day event - if the venue stuff can be worked out. Gilbert's is good ... mostly because I really like Blackwater Sound but launching was very time consuming. I thought Rick told us that he's got a solid line on a great spot for next year? I'm all for a 3 day event.

Yes the thing is that it is such a long drive, that its not worth it to go for a 2 day event, and get one day blown out. What about having it mon-wed? That gives people time to travel.

Jake,

From What I know, the Stae has purchased the old Plantation Yacht Harbor and is (has) turned it into a park. It has a good stretch of beach and lots of room. It sounds like a good spot. I think I may drive down to see it next week.

Nooooo...minimal vacation time requirement please. Fri - Sun racing so I can do it with just three days off work (Thursday and Monday for travel) Mon-Wed would mean that I have to practically take an entire week of vacation.

Made it back to Detroit last evening. It was an uneventful drive (the way I like them) but you sure could see that temp drop as you went north. Thanks Mary and Rick for hosting the event. We had a great time. Too bad it blew big air on Sat. An extra day of racing would have been nice but I'm not complaining. Having some extra days (Thu and Fri) to sail in just boardshorts and a rashie was worth it. I'm with Jake on this one...a three day event next year...Fri, Sat, Sun. Most if not everyone was already there on Friday. It just makes sense

keep it the way it is.

If I spent one more day in the Keys during the winter I might not come back north.