2019 29er Spring Event News

[John Papadopoulos]

To all 29er racers,

It's just about time to start your planning for the spring racing season for 2019!

There are three regattas that I want to draw your attention to:  YWQ#1, Midwinters East, and Midwinters West.

29er YWQ#1 - February 16-18 @ Miami YC

The title YWQ#1 means "Youth Worlds Qualifier #1".  Don't take my boring choice of a name, or the fact that the event is a qualifier to mean that it's only for those seeking to qualify - it a "normal" event open event for all 29er sailors of all ages to compete.  We want you there!  YWQ#1 was conceived to be a 29er only event sailed on Biscayne Bay.  We (the US 29er Class Association and US Sailing) have decided to pair up with the i420 Midwinters, which are scheduled to sail on February 16-18 out of Miami YC.  As you may have noticed, the YWQ#1 has been on the calendar for February 15-17.  This is your first official notice that the YWQ#1 is now on February 16-18 and will be sailed out of Miami YC.  So please update your calendars (and we've updated our master calendar too) to match the slight adjustment.  Note that Monday February 18 is President's Day.

• The Notice of Race for i420 Midwinters/29er YWQ#1 is nearly done.  It will be announced widely when it's ready for you to download.
• Sailing (weather permitting) will be in the Atlantic Ocean near Miami YC.
• Charter boats can be reserved now from either KO Sailing or DoubleWave.
  

29er Midwinters East (MWE) - March 15-17 @ US Sailing Center Miami

29er Midwinters East (MWE) has always been organized around the Canadian teams that come to Miami in March to train - the regatta being an excellent send off.  In 2018 (7 months ago), this event was selected by US Sailing to be a Youth Worlds Qualifier.  That put a twist on the event that wasn't well received for the simple reason that it required US sailors to take off school days right at a critical time.  This is still a great concern of the US 29er Class - that we never want to create conflicts between academics, family needs, and sailing.  As such, we are asking that those that have the time and ability to compete to consider doing so and for those that feel this is a strain, to not feel any pressure or guild in not attending.  In short, it's meant to be a chill event mostly for our Canadian friends and US sailors on the East Coast.

• The Notice of Race hasn't been started yet.  We'll keep you posted.
• Charter boats may be available from KO Sailing - contact them to learn more.

29er Midwinters West (MWW) - March 22-14 @ Coronado YC (San Diego, CA)

This is the second (of 2) qualifiers for the US 29er Youth Worlds team.  And year after year, it continues to be the best attended non-championship 29er regatta in the US.  Flat water, warm weather and moderate breeze make this an outstanding chance for new teams start their 29er racing career and large numbers make it a "must do" event for all experienced sailors - making it perfect for all.

• Charter boats can be reserved now from DoubleWave.
  

If you have any questions, comments, corrections (I hope I haven't made any), please don't hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

John Papadopoulos

President, US 29er Class Association

(949) 466-0888 (mobile, pacific time)

ja...@mindspring.com