The 2nd Annual 2012 AYC Fleet Challenge is rapidly approaching. This one-day regatta and fundraiser on September 22 will include fleets from the Austin Yacht Club competing against each other in the new club-owned FJs.
Here’s the event flyer.
Schedule: Saturday September 22. 10:00am Skipper’s Meeting at the Rylander Pavilion (junior dock), with first race soon afterwards. We will run as many races as possible until 4:00pm, followed by beer, wine and snacks and trophies.
Racing format: This will be an intercollegiate-style event with short courses held close to the end of the docks for optimum cheerleading and boat switching. We’ll use the 18 new FJs that were recently used for the college nationals. Each fleet team is allowed an “A” and “B” Division skipper — a separate crew for each division is encouraged but not required. Scoring for the first race will be determined by the amount of funds raised by each team prior to the event: the team with the most fundraising will get scored with a first place for race one, the team with the 2nd highest fundraising will get a second place, etc.
Proceeds: Once again, the proceeds from the event will benefit the AYC Fund, which supports sail training, racing and education in Texas. Just last week, the AYC Board unanimously agreed to create a permanent, full-time director of sail training position. Kate Noble, who has done an amazing job running the program on a part-time basis, will become the full-time director. The AYC Fund was instrumental in helping make this position a reality by dedicating supplemental funding for the next three years. With Kate’s lead, AYC has the opportunity to expand both adult and junior sail training, including the PBJ program, the Roadrunner practices and racing, adult racing clinics and AYC weekly races utilizing the 18-boat FJ Fleet. We need your help in continuing to strengthen the AYC Fund in order to continue to support sailing initiatives in Central Texas. Last year, the Fleet Challenge raised $20,000 for the AYC Fund and we will work hard to see if we can exceed last year’s amount. Your commitment and generosity was instrumental in the purchase of the new FJ Fleet and this year we need help replenishing the AYC Fund so we can continue to make investments in the future of our sport.
Create a team: Please reach out to your fellow fleet members and fleet captains and start organizing your team. AYC fleets will get first priority to register, then other groups can sign up, such as Roadrunner teams, UT Sailing Team members and at-large entries.
Start practicing: There are two chances to practice before the event. You can charter an FJ for the Centerboard Regatta on Sept 1-2. You can also sign up for the FJ Clinic on Sept 8 on boat handling and short course racing tactics.
Register today: The registration fee for each team is $200. You can register and process donations two ways.
- Register online on the Austin Community Foundation site. Scroll down to the “Category” section and select “Austin Yacht Club Fund.” Include the registration fee in the “Donation Amount” field. In the “Comments” secion, make sure to indicate which fleet you represent so we can properly credit your team.
- Register by mail by sending a check payable to the AYC Fund to this address: AYC Fund, ℅ Scott Young, P.O. Box 5338, Austin, TX 78763. Please note on the check if the payment is for registration or for an additional donation, and which fleet should receive recognition for the contribution.
Thank you for your help and we look forward to your participation on September 22nd!
