The Insiders' Guide to Ugotta Regatta
We can't help you with your performance on the race course, but we can tell you everything you need to know to win the weekend at LTYC! Here is the inside scoop...
THIS YEAR IS SPECIAL... Welcome J/105s!
There is a regatta within a regatta this year, which is quite unusual. We are hosting the J/105 North American Championships, which is a very big deal! There are many sailors, boats, and race officials here who have never been to Harbor Springs or even the Great Lakes before. We are thrilled to have them here.
RACING
We were allowed this year to raise the regatta cap to 100 boats, but registration was nevertheless full by April! Many boats have been added from the waitlist since. About one-third of the competitors are local LTYC boats and the remainder are our guests. If you want to get the complete details on the racers or even follow the action through a pair of binoculars, you'll want to refer to the official Scratch Sheet.
Click here. Or
here for J/105s.
Front Row Seats: Racing starts at 11am each day. Most boats head out in the 9-10am range and come back in after racing in the 2-4pm range depending on the weather. These are fun times to be on the water or around the harbor as the sailors head out with high hopes and return with stories to tell.
Robots at Regatta? Your eyes are not deceiving you... this weekend we are pilot testing remote controlled racing marks from MarkSetBot
. See if you can spot one motoring out to the course or holding its position via GPS.
You've Got A Friend: Quantum Sails is here as our Official Sail Service Provider and regatta sponsor. They will be operating a pop-up sail repair service at Irish Boat Shop, daily weather reports, racing debriefs for the J/105s, and they are generally available if you need any tuning advice or help with your sails. |
VOLUNTEERING
While you are at LTYC this weekend, take a look around and marvel at the 100+ volunteers who come together to put on a world class event year after year. There are more teams than ever at work out on the water, at the parties, during the pancake breakfast, and on the Clean Regatta efforts. THANK YOU to everyone who is taking time out of their busy weekend to work a volunteer shift!
| Volunteers are VIPs: Onshore Volunteers should stop by the club during Regatta Registration hours to pick up their volunteer packet, hat, and Irish Boat Shop Party Tickets. On-the-water volunteers have a meeting on Thursday at 3pm for final marching orders and to get their hats and party tickets. Each day's on-the-water volunteers will also meet on the porch at 8:30am for last minute updates before heading out. |
PARTIES
On Friday evening, Irish Boat Shop hosts a party for racers and volunteers, complete with beer, brats, and a band. On Saturday and Sunday after sailing, LTYC is the host for members, racers, and their guests. A dinner buffet is included for registered racers - others can purchase buffet wristbands. Saturday features live music from the
Petoskey Steel Drums and the main event on Sunday is the presentation of the awards. Bars are sponsored by
Gosling's Rum and staffed by heroic volunteers.
Your First Step: Start your party at the cashier's tent where you can purchase drink tickets and buffet wristbands. If you are lucky, they'll ask to check your ID too, as everyone over 21 needs to have a wristband to demonstrate that we are responsible folks and we are complying with liquor laws.
You Should Know: All drinks and buffet wristbands must be purchased at the cashiers' tent. Volunteer bartenders will not be able to take your member number as payment, but you CAN charge your drink tickets to your member number at the cashier's tent. Cash and credit cards are also accepted.
Pro Tip: If you want a beer, head to the big tent out back. There will be no beer at the inside bar. Otherwise, the inside bar and the big bar under the tent are the same.
The Rules Are Different: A special liquor license means that non-members can buy alcohol all weekend long, so invite your friends and family (and let them pay their own way - wink)
Don't Get Caught: Be aware that regatta drink tickets are ONLY valid during the regatta parties. Enjoy them this weekend because credits cannot be issued after the event.
Expert Move: Skip the lines and stop by the club during Registration hours to buy your drink tickets and buffet wristbands in advance.
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CLEAN REGATTA
Last year, LTYC earned Silver Status (and the flag to prove it) from
Sailors For The Sea, an organization supporting clean regatta practices. We're back at it this year, reusing our cups, using compostable materials, and recycling like crazy. The
Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau is a sponsor of the Clean Regatta.
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Be Social: Use the hashtag #cleanregattas and tag LTYC all weekend long on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram when you see someone doing their part to make our event clean and green.
You Are Hereby Challenged: See if you can make it through the party with only ONE plastic cup. Our bartenders will be happy to refill for you and we'll recycle it at the end.
Stay Hydrated: A new focus this year is an effort to reduce the number of single-use water bottles during Ugotta Regatta. Racers are encouraged to bring re-useable bottles on board each day.
Local Knowledge: There is a spring fed water bottle filling fountain by the Zorn Park beach and bottle filling stations at the harbormaster's office and near the hedge on the LTYC lawn by the water.
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PANCAKE BREAKFAST
On Saturday and Sunday morning, the entire community is invited to feel the excitement of a regatta morning and fill their bellies with a big pancake breakfast. This event is the only fundraiser for the
Little Traverse Sailors Race Team and they will be out there flipping pancakes in person before running off to race. Invite your neighbors, bring your houseguests, and feast on pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice, coffee, and fruit. It is a tasty way to support the future of sailing in Harbor Springs.
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Bring Your Wallet: The Pancake Breakfast is a cash-only operation. Checks to LTS are ok too.
Clever Timing: The sailor rush happens between 8 and 9:30. Come earlier or later for room to relax. Breakfast is served from 7:30 to 10:30, rain or shine, under the big tent.
Not Too Late: The Pancake Breakfast still needs volunteers and donations of fruit. Please check the signup list here if you can help. Parents: your kids can help with you!
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ONE LAST TIP
Harbor Springs is a nice place, but how does sailing in the British Virgin Islands sound? During the regatta events, keep an eye out for the representative from our newest regatta sponsor, the
BVI Board of Tourism. They are here to talk about how we can support the hurricane recovery in BVI, a place many sailors know and love. In partnership with
Vacanses Sous Voiles
, they are also giving away a one week sailing charter. Get your name in the drawing.
If you are still reading, then by now you are surely an expert on all things Ugotta Regatta!
Pass this along to anyone who might need this info. Share your inside info with our guests. Sail fast. Thank a volunteer. Have a great time.
See you at the club!
