The majestic beauty of Old San Juan combined with sailing in a busy commercial port under what can sometimes be fickle wind conditions will prove enticingly challenging to sailors competing in the 5th annual Club Náutico de San Juan International Regatta, set for February 3 to 5, 2006.
Classes will include Optimists Red, Blue, White and Green; Laser Youths with 4.7 and Radial sails open to those age 18 and under; Laser Open for all sailors; 420s and Snipes.
“We expect about 80 participants from the U.S. and British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, says regatta director, Jose Gilberto “Yoyo” Berrios. “Among these will be about 10 sailors competing in the Snipes, a class that revived a little less than a year ago here in Puerto Rico.”
The event will kick-off with registration at Club Nautico de San Juan, located just off the causeway bridge en route to Old San Juan, on February 3th from 3 to 5 pm. A practice race will be held during this same time. An 8 am Skipper’s Meeting on February 4th prefaces the competition, which starts at 10 am. The first start is at 9 am on February 5th, followed by an Awards Ceremony at 2:30 pm.
The registration fee is $90.
As for sailing conditions in San Juan bay, Berrios says, “We can have all kinds of wind – light, medium or heavy. Wind is shifty. Course configurations will be a combination of windward-leeward legs and triangle-windward-leeward legs with a finish line different from the start.”
Sailors are encouraged to bring their own boats. However, “there are a limited amount of charter boats available,” says regatta director, Jose Gilberto “Yoyo” Berrios.
Organizers are also working with local hotels for special rates. For hotel information, contact Ana Julia or Gilberto Berrios at (787) 722-0177. For regatta information, contact Berrios at the same number above, or Fax: (787) 724-8059; Email: vela@nauticodesanjuan.com; Web:www.nauticodesanjuan.com
