2008 Albacore United States National Championship

Calling all Albacores! Come to the 2008 U.S. National Championship at Ware River! WRYC is located just off Mobjack Bay on the Western Shore of the Southern Chesapeake Bay on a thinly settled peninsula, Ware Neck; a pretty place not only for those who like star gazing without city lights. For the wind-addicted sailors the Bay can produce very nice building sea breezes by mid-day, or we can enjoy that brisk north-westerly air coming down from Canada in the Fall. On the race courses, the WRYC race committees have shown us many times their dedication to racing with expertly set courses and excellent race committee work. Our PRO for the Championships, Rick Klein, is working closely with us to assure perfect three days (actually four, since he will be driving the boat for Barney's clinic).

WRYC will be turning out its hospitality in a grand style by inviting all competitors to the Saturday Night Dinner. Beyond that they will make their grounds and club house our home for the extended weekend. The budget-minded Albacore sailors, and the ones who like to step in their boat without a commute (see also star gazing) are invited to pitch their tents on the club grounds. There are showers and a refrigerator in the kitchen, but no electrical hookups. For the remaining crowd we have reserved a block of rooms at the Gloucester Comfort Inn (see NOR for rates and registration deadlines).

We have scheduled the first race on Saturday, Oct. 11, at 12:00 noon with the Skippers Meeting at 10:30. This should provide all who are on the road in Maryland (South of the Mason Dixon Line) by 6:00 AM on one of the major corridors from the North, US 15, US 301, I 83, I 95, with ample time to make it to the regatta. The same applies for the race clinic on Friday. The good news: the speed limit on a long stretch of US 17 is now 60 MpH, which cuts about 5 minutes from the drive, or may save you from a ticket. And gas or diesel is about a quarter cheaper down there.