e-USSAILING - Weekly Electronic Newsletter from US SAILING

ENCOURAGING PARTICIPATION AND PROMOTING EXCELLENCE IN SAILING
December 6, 2006

Adam Werblow teaches a seminar at the 2006
National Sailing Programs Symposium

COUNTDOWN BEGINS FOR US SAILING SYMPOSIUMS IN NEW ORLEANS

In just a matter of weeks, US SAILING's two Symposiums, the National Sailing Programs Symposium and the One-Design Sailing Symposium, will be kicking off in New Orleans, LA. From January 17 to 21, sailing program organizers and one-design sailors from around the country are invited to New Orleans to listen to keynote speakers such as Paul Cayard, John Rousmaniere, and William Pinkney as well as attend seminars to learn more about how to run a successful sailing program or one-design class. Early registration for both events runs through December 15, with discounts offered for registrations received by that date. The 25th annual National Sailing Programs Symposium is presented by Vanguard Sailboats.
> For more information on the Symposiums and to register online, please visit http://www.ussailing.org/news/2006/symposiums.htm.

US SAILOR Of The Week
Peter Craig

Peter Craig

Simply put, Peter Craig is the man behind the success of the popular Acura Key West, also known as Key West Race Week. Now one of the nation's top sailing events bringing together nearly 300 boats every January in sunny Florida, Peter has been running the show at Key West for over a decade through his company Premiere Racing, Inc., which also runs the successful Acura Miami Grand Prix. With a reputation of superb quality racing and great on-shore activities, Acura Key West is a haven for sailors racing keelboats, from PHRF and IRC to one design. But if you grew up in Marblehead, MA, when Peter did, you probably don't know him from the race course. While he did grow up on the waters of Buzzards Bay, he primarily cruised with his parents and five siblings on the family's wooden schooner. It wasn't until Peter was a Midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, when he developed a taste for racing through the school's offshore sailing program. Over the years, he has traveled the world competing in events. Besides running his own business and having three kids under the age of 10, he managed to compete in several major international regattas this year on well-known boats. "Staying involved as a competitor is one of the keys to running a successful major event," he says. See you in Key West!

FIRST REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR ACURA KEY WEST THIS FRIDAY

The 2007 Acura Key West will take place January 15-19. With hundreds of volunteers, expert race management, several great sponsors, and countless sailors, the event promises to once again offer great racing and fun on-shore activities. Race organizers are currently busy processing all the applications and with the first early registration deadline approaching this Friday, more are expected to come in over the next few days. Acura Key West is sanctioned by US SAILING.
> Visit the event website at http://www.premiere-racing.com for information on the event, including the entry list and online registration.

US SAILING TEAM MEMBER TEAMS UP WITH SPERRY TOP-SIDER FOR PROMOTION

Every once in a while, a great opportunity comes up where the athletes of the US Sailing Team (USST) can help promote a Team sponsor in a unique way. This weekend, this will be happening with long-time USST footwear sponsor Sperry Top-Sider and Star sailor Brad Nichol, who along with Andy Horton is the #1 ranked Star team on the 2006 USST. Fresh from a fourth place finish at the Star Class World Championship and a second place finish at US SAILING's Pre-Trials, Brad Nichol will appear at the Dillard's at the Coconut Point Mall in Bonita Springs this Saturday, December 9, to sign autographs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the men's footwear department. Anyone who purchases a pair of Sperry Top-Sider shoes on December 9 at that location will receive a free gift from Sperry.

NOMINATIONS ACCEPTED FOR COUNTRY'S TOP ONE-DESIGN AWARDS

Here is your chance to recognize excellent service to our sport! Nominate your favorite club, fleet, regatta or one-design spark plug for a US SAILING One-Design Award. Did your club run an outstanding multi-class regatta this year? Is there an exceptional person at your club who was responsible for making your fleet grow? US SAILING wants to hear about it. The award categories are: Service, Leadership, Club, Regatta, and Creativity. These awards highlight role models of creative leadership in one-design sailing.
> Please visit http://www.ussailing.org/odcc/awards/index.htm for more information. Nominations are due by December 15.

HOSTING A U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

US SAILING organizes 18 U.S. National Championships, ranging from junior to adult events, from fleet racing to team or match racing, and from able-bodied to disabled championships. Organizing such a large scale event is no easy task and US SAILING works with sailing organizations across the country to make these events happen. US SAILING is currently accepting bids from sailing organizations nationwide to host a National Championship in 2008 and beyond. Hosting one of these events has numerous benefits, including an opportunity to showcase the sailing organization and local region to sailors from across the country, bringing the club's members together to put on a good show, getting nationwide visibility for the event, and much more.
> For more information on hosting a U.S. National Championship, visit
http://www.ussailing.org/championships/PlanningCal.asp?championship=True.

US SAILING TEAM MEMBERS ON THE ROAD AND ON THE WATER

> Four USA teams are in San Isidro, Argentina, to compete in the Tornado World Championship which runs through this Sunday, December 10. The USA athletes competing in the event are John Lovell/Charlie Ogletree, Robbie Daniel/Gary Chu, Don Thinschmidt/Andrew Wierda, and Michael Grandfield/Brock Callen. Visit the Tornado World Championship event website at http://tornado2006.cnsi.org.ar for the latest results.
> Several members of the US Disabled Sailing Team competed in the America's Disabled/Open Regatta at St. Petersburg Yacht Club, FL, over the weekend. Visit http://www.spyc.org/club/scripts/section/section.asp?GRP=5564&NS=REGP for the event results and see how Rick Doerr won the Sonar fleet, Karen Mitchell finished 3rd in the SKUD-18, and Nick Scandone finished 4th in the 2.4mR.

US SAILING HOLIDAY SPECIALS: PACKAGES AND STOCKING STUFFERS

To help you get the right gifts for the sailors on your holiday shopping list, US SAILING has put together several specially priced packages and plenty of stocking stuffers. From sailing books and DVDs to US SAILING logo items such as belts, you'll find something for any sailor, novice through expert, racer, cruiser, coach or parent. You can even find a special gift for the four-legged sailing friend.
> View the special holiday packages
> View the stocking stuffers

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