[cove]

Now that the light air and cold 2009 worlds are over let me invite you to the 2010 Texas Gulf Coast Championship and the 2011 Melges 24 Worlds to be held in Corpus Christi

We will host the 2010 Texas Gulf Coast Championship in May 2010 so you can get a taste of what to expect for the Worlds in 2011. Here is the link to the 2010 Texas Gulf Coast Championship web site

http://www.melgeswor...i...9&Itemid=61

We have the web site up for the 2011 Worlds

http://www.melgesworlds.com/

so plan to come to a warm windy freindly place in 2010 and 2011

here is part of the proposal we submitted

Melges 24


2011 World Championship


Corpus Christi Bay
Corpus Christi, Texas
United States of America



May or July




Hosted by:

Corpus Christi Yacht Club
98 Coopers Alley
Corpus Christi, Texas, USA 78401
CCYC




Melges 24 BID PROPOSAL

Venue: Corpus Christi Yacht Club, winner of the 2006 St Petersburg Trophy for Excellence in Race Management, respectfully request the privilege of hosting a Major Melges 24 regatta in Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.A., in the month of May or July in 2009, 2010 or 2011. Exact dates would need confirmation by the Local Convention and Visitors Board for hotel availability and all other entities involved.

Corpus Christi Yacht Club has hosted many major regattas in the past. Some, but not all, include the 2006 J80 World Championship, 2006 U.S. Laser Championship, 2003 Laser North Americans, 2002 IODA Optimist World Championship, the 2002 J-22 World Championship, the, the 1999 Optimist North American Championship and the 1999 505 North American Championship.

Corpus Christi was selected for these venues based on the reliability of the wind. Normally our sea breeze starts around 11AM and builds throughout the day. There is little chance of not racing on any given day. In addition to our normal wind conditions, we have great Texas hospitality and proven PRO’s and race committees!

I. General Information

Tentative Schedule: North American or World Championship eight day 10 race series
Friday to Monday: Early Arrival, Registration & Measurement
Monday Evening: Opening Ceremonies including buffet meal and refreshments
Tuesday to Friday: 2-3 races after race appetizers and refreshments
Friday Evening: Prizes awarded and Banquet

Maximum Number of entrants: No maximum number of entrants.

II. Sailing Environment

Corpus Christi Bay, Corpus Christi, Texas, USA
CCYC is located at Latitude 27 48” North – Longitude 97 23” West

Distance and time to the race course: The sail from the staging area to the race course is less than 30 minutes. It consists of a long reach out of the break water and a one-leg beat to the start line.

Conditions: In general, Corpus Christi winds are extremely predictable. Corpus Christi has a regular sea breeze of 15 plus knots out of the southeast (130 degrees). The wind typically builds uniformly across the bay from the southeast. Daytime highs range from 87 to 94 degrees Fahrenheit with water temperatures in the mid 80s. The typical May or July weather is warm, sunny and windy. The area of the bay where racing will occur has essentially no current and tides fluctuate approximately one foot daily. Corpus Christi Bay has ample room to accommodate several courses. All courses are unobstructed by land, or each other, to guarantee fair competition.

This was the average wind speed for July 2002 to 2004 between 2pm and 7pm



IV. Race Management

Local PROs: Mark Foster, is a US Sailing Regional Race Officer and was the PRO for the J80 World Championship, for which CCYC was awarded the 2006 St. Petersburg Trophy, and also the PRO for the 2003 Laser North American Championship. Michael McCutchon, was the PRO for the 2002 Optimist World Championship. With the team of Mike, on the signal boat, and Mark, on the pin boat, not one race, during the 2002 Optimist World Championship, was started under black flag penalty, and many starts were started under the “P” flag only, which is virtually unheard of in the Optimist fleet.

Local Race Committee Team: We have an experienced group of mark set, signal, finish and scoring personnel to effectively run windward and leeward courses. This team has run numerous regattas as well as post mark rounding and scores from the water to the web page as they happen. This is the same team that has participated in running the following events:

Recent International Events: 2006 J80 World Championship, 2006 J80 Worlds 2006 U.S. Laser Championship 2006 US Laser Championship , 2003 Laser North American Championship, 2002 IODA Optimist World Championship, 2002 J-22 World Championship 2002 J22 Worlds 1999 Optimist North American Championship and the 1999 505 North American Championship, as well as many regional and state events.

Equipment: All necessary race committee equipment is available. Marks are large tetrahedrons that can be easily spotted in heavy air. Corpus Christi Yacht Club has plentiful member resources and club property to utilize for judge, mark set, media, safety and spectator boats for this event. An example of the race committee boats might be as follows:
Signal boat - 35 ft. trawler, the Pin boat - 30 ft. sport fisherman with a tuna tower for sight, and Finish boat - 31 ft. Nordic Tug.




V. Facilities

Staging Area: The staging area will be located at the Corpus Christi Yacht Club as well as the paved peninsula adjacent to the Corpus Christi Yacht Club. The following link shows CCYC in the lower left corner with the hotels located just north of the club, and are about a five to eight minute walk. The sailing area that is just off the breakwater is approximately a 20 to 30 minute sail. CCYC Map

Marine Supply & Repair Shops: West Marine and Boater’s World each have a store; each is about a 20-minute drive from CCYC. There is also a sail repair facility located in Corpus Christi.

Dock space for support boats: There is ample space in the CC Marina to hold 100 plus boats, coach and spectator boats. CC Marina

Club Facilities: There are full shower and bathroom facilities in the CCYC clubhouse. There are also bathroom facilities at the end of the peninsula where the hoist is located. CCYC has a pool and a covered upper deck for people’s enjoyment. The dining room is open from 11:00am-2:00pm and 6:00pm-10:00pm, later on weekends. The bar is open from 11:00 a.m. until club closes.

Jury Facilities: The jury will have two rooms along with a staging area for the jury secretary. Copier and fax machines are readily available.

VI. Transportation

Nearest Port: The Port of Corpus Christi is the nearest port and is a short 10 minute drive to CCYC. Port of Corpus Christi







VII. Travel

Air Travel to Corpus Christi: Airlines serving the Corpus Christi International Airport are Continental and American (domestically and internationally) and Southwest Airlines (domestically only). These major airlines have worldwide partners that allow for easy and cost effective transportation from a foreign origin to Corpus Christi. It does involve an additional 45 minute connection, however the cost is usually the same and sometimes less expensive. The time is made up once you arrive in Corpus Christi, with the new streamlined airport and the 10 minute drive to the Corpus Christi Yacht Club.

Transportation from the Airport: Rental cars are available for competitive rates. Many hotels offer complimentary airport shuttle service. Taxicab ride to the downtown area is approximately $20 USD.

Driving time: Corpus Christi is 2.5 hours from San Antonio and 3.5 hours from Houston and 7 hours from the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Mexico is an easy 2.5 hour drive from Corpus Christi. Estimated distances from major areas in miles: Chicago-Corpus Christi 1300, Jacksonville-Corpus Christi 1100, Long Beach-Corpus Christi 1550, San Francisco-Corpus Christi 1900, Annapolis-Corpus Christi 1630



VII. Accommodations

Hotels: The downtown accommodations are very acceptable and convenient to the sailing area. The hotels are located within walking distance to the sailing staging area and one street behind the hotels one can find shops, restaurants and a wide variety of night life. Hotel rates can expect to be in the $80 US to $120 US per night range. CC CVB

Efficiency Apartments: Rooms with efficiency kitchens (some with living areas) are available within a 15 minute drive to CCYC. Some are, but not limited to: Sun Suites, Fairfield Inn, Residence Inn, Hawthorne Suites

Please note that the reasonable housing, transportation and dining costs out weigh the small inconvenience of traveling off the beaten path. This area is refreshingly uncongested and the water is warm!

VIII. Miscellaneous

Observation of the races: Sailing venue can be observed from the shore with binoculars. Nevertheless spectator boats, such as a double decked spectator boat, will be available for spectators.

Sponsorship: We anticipate obtaining sponsorship to supplement and enhance the social off-water activities and entertainment. Sponsorship would also be pursued to obtain items for raffle or gifts for each competitor.

Local Sightseeing: Texas State Aquarium, the U.S. Lexington Aircraft Carrier, North Padre Island, and much more – please visit CC CVB .

Contact Information:
Mark Foster, 361-816-9801
markfoster@cableone.net




CORPUS CHRISTI YACHT CLUB WINS US SAILING’S ST. PETERSBURG YACHT CLUB TROPHY FOR EXCELLENCE IN RACE MANAGEMENT


F.l.t.r.: Corpus Christi Yacht Club Commodore
Steve Hastings, Regatta Chair Teri Ficken, US SAILING Race Management Committee Chair Jim Tichenor,
and PRO Mark Foster
Newport, R.I. (November 18, 2007) – US SAILING, national governing body for the sport, has awarded its prestigious St. Petersburg Yacht Club Trophy for Excellence in Race Management to Corpus Christi Yacht Club in Corpus Christi, TX. Corpus Christi Yacht Club was selected from a list of 19 nominations for outstanding organization and execution of the J/80 World Championship held July 2006. The Trophy was presented to Commodore Steve Hastings, Teri Ficken, Regatta Chairman and Mark Foster, Principal Race Officer of Corpus Christi Yacht Club by US SAILING’s Race Management Committee Chair Jim Tichenor earlier this evening during an awards dinner at US SAILING’s Annual Meeting in Newport, R.I.

With 33 boats from five different nations, the host club had its hands full organizing this regatta and ensuring world-class racing. All skippers were asked to rate the race management and all gave very high ratings for mark setting accuracy and setting of marks, starting lines, finishing lines, signal visibility, course location, and reaction to wind.

Emblematic of excellence in race management, the St. Petersburg Yacht Club Trophy was awarded originally by St. Petersburg Yacht Club in the late 1960s to recognize the club that ran the best regatta. The trophy was retired for several years until it was donated to US SAILING in 1977. The winner is selected on the basis of race management superiority and evaluation by participating skippers.




Corpus Christi Bay in July
By Mark Foster

Welcome to Corpus Christi Bay. For the past 40 years I have raced and sailed in Corpus Christi and would like to share with you some of my experiences with the wind, waves and current patterns that normally occur during a July afternoon.

The sea breeze will be fairly consistent with small shifts. The pressure will build from the right side. The normal SE sea breeze develops with the heating of the land and takes about 10 degrees of temperature differential to develop. The bay water should be in the mid 80’s. The breeze can start as far left as 90 degrees and as far right as 170 degrees; it usually settles in around 125 to 140 degrees and then builds to 15 to 18 knots, gusting to 20. One of my favorite web sites to review the wind is the Conrad Blucher institute web site, which can be found at TAMUCC Wind .

Pull out a bay chart and locate the Nueces Bay Causeway. When sailing out of the gap you will see the low long bridge with a small hump in it, this is the Nueces Bay Causeway. From the Causeway, look upwind to the race course and you will notice more wind pressure over the length of the Causeway. The wind will build faster due to the fact that it is not blocked by the downtown buildings. So, while the general consensus is to go right, it can pay to work the left side of the course as the winds builds from 8 to 15 knots.



The wave pattern is consistent across the course. Look at the chart and note that the bay averages 10 to 14 feet deep. With the SE breeze, the waves have an 8 to 10 mile fetch before they reach the race course. When big waves come, they are in a set of three, and you are advised to try and avoid them at all cost. Notice going upwind, that starboard tack is more into the waves and port tack is more across the waves. You should set your sail trim for each tack. In general you will find that port tack is faster than starboard.

The sea breeze will set up a wind driven current that flows northwest towards the Harbor Bridge and returns up the bay inside Alta Vista reef. The current is consistent across the course and does not exceed ½ knot. The Alta Vista reef runs parallel to the shore, approximately ½ to 1 mile off the bay front, marked by two permanent markers. Number 1 on the north end and Number 3 on the south end and are noted on the bay chart. The race course will be set outside the reef and current should not be a factor in the racing.

[sailfastliveslow]

Sweet mother Jesuz, where talking Med on the Third Coast


Bing Maps

Local Sailing Organization

[ultraracer613um]

Corpus is on the best places on earth to sail sportboats.

These regattas will be off the chain!

[Jambalaya]

Estonia first, that has many attractions

[jkdubs808]

:unsure: Too bad my M24 is for sale, I would have loved to make it to Corpus Christi and race. Oh well, another time maybe.