Bermuda Race Week Preview

Snipe Class North American Championship highlights Bermuda International Invitational Race Week

April 30- May 6, 2000

The Snipe Class will sail their 2000 North American Championship in conjunction with Bermuda International Invitational Race Week, sponsored by Bacardi. BIIRW races will be sailed Sunday –Tuesday followed by the NA Championship Thursday-Saturday. The class, as always, should have a great turnout; but with the North American Championship being at stake, organizers expect from 30 to 40 boats and some great sailing on Bermuda’s great Sound from this highly competitive class. One early entry is George Szabo from San Diego who has been nominated for US Sailing’s Rolex Yachtsman of the Year award.

For the second year, Bacardi and The Bermuda Department of Tourism will both be major sponsors for the Regatta. In addition to regatta financial support, Bacardi will be supplying some of their famous ‘product’ for the three major parties… the welcoming cocktail party, the Wednesday "All Crew" BBQ and the Saturday prizegiving reception.

Starting April 30th, sailors from Bermuda, the US, Canada, and Europe will set sail in the 2000 Bermuda International Invitational Race Week, sponsored by Bacardi. The sailors will compete in one-design racing Sunday April 30th through Friday May 5th. Prizegiving will be at Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Saturday May 6th.

Two courses will be set in Bermuda's Great Sound. Alpha Course will be for keelboats including Etchells, J-24's, I-14’s and International One Designs. Bravo will be the dinghy course with Comets, Lasers, Albacores (tentative) and Snipes.

Prizes are based on the number of entries and while some classes have perpetual silverware, RBYC presents "keepers" each year. This year prizes include:

• International Etchells compete for K.F. Trimingham Silver Trophy
• International One Design compete for the Vrengen Gold Cup
• There are two series
  (a) Bermuda Race Week Championship "A" and
  (b) Norwegian Series "B"
  These combine for The Vrengen Gold Cup as overall prize.
• J24 Class competes for the Gripper Trophy - a J-24 half model
• I-14 Class competes for International Invitational Race Week Championship
• Comet Class competes for International Invitational Race Week Championship
• Laser Class competes for International Invitational Race Week Championship
• Snipe Class competes for 350th Anniversary Silver Trophy & the Snipe Class North American Championship
• Albacore Class competes for International Invitational Race Week Championship

During the week, international visitors in each class will also enjoy parties hosted by the local Bermuda class members. Wednesday is a lay day, so all will have the opportunity for a free day to enjoy the sights and attractions for which Bermuda is famous.

Inaugurated by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club in 1952, Bermuda International Invitational Race Week has become an established international yachting fixture each spring - attracting the top skippers from many countries. All classes with an active local racing program in Bermuda may organize their classes to participate in Bermuda International Invitational Race Week. Each class is then responsible for issuing invitations to potential participants.

More information: www.rbyc.bm