On Friday, September 30th, thirty-two of some of the best Harbor 20 sailors from around the country will converge in Newport Beach for the 2016 East / West Challenge Regatta. Fleet 1 has the honor of hosting this annual event which includes sailors from Annapolis (Fleet 5), Hilton Head (Fleet 3), Charlotte Harbor, FL (Fleet 6), Santa Barbara (Fleet 4) and Newport Beach (Fleet 1).

The weekend starts with a Welcome Reception harbor-side next to Newport Harbor Yacht Club. On Saturday, eight teams representing the “East Coast” will compete against eight teams representing the “West Coast” in a fleet race format (lowest combined score wins) over two days with a total of eight races planned. Dinner Saturday evening at the NHYC will follow the racing on day one. Racing will continue on Sunday and the weekend will culminate with an Awards Dinner at Lido Isle Yacht Club.

The sixteen boats are provided by Fleet 1 members, and each boat will have an “Owner’s Rep” participating as a 3rd crew on each boat. The Owner’s Reps get the opportunity to sail with as many as four different teams, providing assistance crewing or local knowledge advice.  There are several spots still open to participate in the regatta as an “Owner’s Rep”. Contact the Event Chair, Nik Froehlich, to get one of these few remaining spots.

As the host of the event, the Fleet 1 Board of Directors have been busy arranging for boats, organizing the social events and the logistics of the regatta. There is always a need for additional help, even if just for a hour or so with setting up or cleaning up for the Friday or Sunday dinners.  If you can help on Friday evening or Sunday evening, please contact Judy Weightman.

For those that would like to mingle and talk sailing with fellow Harbor 20 sailors from other fleets, tickets can be purchased for any (or all) of the three social events / dinners scheduled for Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Fleet 1 members are encouraged to participate in any way they can, and help the Fleet be a good host to our out-of-town guests.

Here is a schedule of events.

Click here to register as a volunteer, or for any of the social events, or as an Owner’s Rep (while there are still spots available).