Giant Single Start Planned For 2012 Border Run Sailors

Press Release: Dec 29th 2011:   In 2011, the Border Run became the largest point to point race on the West Coast.  So what are Border Run organizers planning for 2012?  With futurists predicting the end of the world in 2012, organizers are taking no chances by going all out to make this years Border Run special.  So what’s new? 

The Border Run has a new date,  Saturday, March 10th 2012.  Why?  Reasons include a full moon, a chance for more wind, a feeder race for the NOOD, a tune up for the Newport to Cabo race and 6 weeks before the N2E so sailors can race both races. 

To make sailors appreciate being ‘alive’, organizers are planning a new single start for all boats. With the turnout expected to be over 200 boats this could be the largest single class start in the USA!  All classes will start off the Balboa pier in Newport Beach on one long start line separated into three classes...the 14-mile Sprint course to Dana Point, the 70-mile Short course to San Diego and the 90-mile Long course around the island of Coronado del Norte to San Diego. 

“It will be spectacular” says John Marshall of SSYC, the OA for the event. Although the final details of the start are not being released yet, the basics are pretty simple and exciting.  

“Ten minutes before the start, all boats will be required to be west of the Balboa Pier. With a leeward buoy off the pier and a committee boat out to sea, sailors will be looking for a helicopter and/or powerboat running the line trailing smoke or a large flag just minutes before the start. This will help give sailors a good visual of the start line as the committee boat starts the entire fleet at 11 am GPS time with a cannon and radio communication”.

Randy Reynolds of XS Racing and co-founder of the Border Run adds, “We plan to make the start easy for beginners and tactical for the experts. This start will be the only one of its kind on the West Coast. It will be easy, fun, exciting, tactical and challenging.  We hope sailors won’t want to miss it.” Exact details of the start will be announced in the upcoming Border Run SI’s due to be published on their website by Feb 13th 2012. 

More News: Dana Point Yacht Club is onboard to finish the Sprint course to Dana Point and to host the Sprint course party. The San Diego Trophy party for the Short and Long Course sailors will be at Silver Gate Yacht Club with plenty of parking and catered by Fiddlers Green. 

Most importantly, Border Run sailors can earn prizes by raising money for three charities. These charities are dedicated to preserving our oceans,  promoting the sport of sailing and fighting blood cancers including skin cancer.  

“We hope the sailors will get behind the new charities as they did last year when sailors raised over $50,000 for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society ” says John Sakacs of City2Sea who is heading up fundraising for this years Border Run.  LLS is one of the charities that will benefit from the fundraising in addition to City2Sea’s programs that introduce students to sailing and marine sciences.  

To encourage sailors to enter early, sailors who sign up by Jan 10th 2012 can save money on their entry.  The 2012 Border Run is sponsored by Ullman Sails and outfitted by Pirates Lair. The Border Run Team consists of XS Racing, South Shore Yacht Club (the Organizing Authority) and Dana Point Yacht Club. The Border Run is also part of the 2012 Ullman Sails Offshore Championship Series.  For more details go to www.TheBorderRun.org or call 800-366-8584.

We Have A Winner! 

Press Release Dec 20th 2011 - The Winner of the Super Early Entry Contest and a new GoPro Video Cam valued at $199 Is:  Entry #26 - John Snook of LBYC sailing on the Long Course. Congratulations John! The first 60 entries can pick up thier prizes at the Trophy Party in San Diego March 11th 2012 or XS Racing in Huntington Beach Ca after the March 12th 2012. 

But you can still win too! Enter By January 10th 2012 and save money on your entry and a chance to Win a FREE ENTRY! Winner to be named and must be present at the Trophy Party in San Diego!