The 2013 edition of the venerable Race to the Coast will include several significant changes to make the event safer, more user-friendly and, hopefully, to increase participation. Here goes:
The Friday Night SKIPPERS MEETING is now optional. This will ease the burden on our Northshore friends who would like to participate, but have been put-off by the night-before drive. Entries may be completed entirely online and Regatta Network will serve as the Official Notice Board for the event. Still, if this is your first Race to the Coast, you may want to come hear what the PRO has to say!
In the interest of safety, the organizers of both Race to the Coast and the Gulfport to Pensacola Race have decided to join the 21st Century and require live GPS race tracking for 2013. After some notable recent tragedies, race tracking has become a standard requirement for all types of distance races. Plus, friends and family can follow the race live online. This means that each boat must provide and carry either a SPOT tracking device or a Kattack Live smartphone app. See the NOR for details.
Finally, there will be a new, combined series scored for 2013. In addition to the traditional trophies, Race to the Coast and the Gulfport to Pensacola Race will also be scored together for a new perpetual trophy, TBA. All you have to do to qualify and be entered, is to sail in both races. See the race docs for details.
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