RALEIGH, N.C, SEPTEMBER 17-18, 2016 – College Sailing returns to Raleigh on September 17th and 18th as the NC State SailPack hosts college sailors and coaches from across the southeast for the 2016 SAISA SailPack Women’s Regatta presented by First Tennessee Bank at the Lake Wheeler Park waterfront. Teams competing include NC State, University of Georgia, Jacksonville University, and others from the South Atlantic Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association (SAISA) conference. Additional teams will be confirmed as the event nears.
"This year is the second year hosting this event and we’re excited to get the chance to compete at home against great teams and great athletes. It’s a priority for our program to support the growth of women’s college sailing and this event is an important event on the conference fall schedule," said NC State Women's Team captain Kara Wheeler (Jr., Oriental, NC).
The event is has also been certified as a gold-level “Clean Regatta” by national environmental organization Sailors for The Sea, building on last year’s initial “Clean Regatta” basic qualification. The organization, based in Newport, Rhode Island engages sailing programs to develop more sustainable practices.
“Working with Sailors for The Sea, we were able to ensure our regatta is organized and run with our environmental impact in mind. We’re composting, recycling, choosing earth-friendly materials, and providing refillable water stations among other sustainability best practices,” said NC State Sailing club president and racer Eli Jones (Jr., Catawba, NC). “This year’s certification as a gold regatta just reflects our program and club’s focus on the environmental stewardship as a core value.”
Opening Ceremony and the Skippers' Meeting will take place at 9:30AM on Saturday morning at the Lake Wheeler Waterfront Program Center. Students, spectators including the general public, and special guests are invited to attend the event and enjoy the breakfast provided, view the opening ceremony, and experience college dinghy racing with great shore-side viewing. The Lake will be open to the public, so additional opportunities to get on the water will be available and spectator boats are welcomed, too.
"Last year’s regatta was such a hit that we were all enthusiastic about hosting this again in 2016. With great sponsors like the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance, we are able to ensure NC State's Women's sailing program continues to grow, and that college sailing has a great showcase for our home community in Raleigh," said NC State head coach Dana Magliola.
Racing will commence directly after the opening ceremony and continue through the afternoon Saturday until 5PM, as well as during the day Sunday beginning at 10:00AM. Consider carpooling to reduce our overall environmental impact, too.
