race yourselves for June 16 - 20. One of the more prestigious regattas in the world will be launched, literally, from the beach at Golden Gardens (at the north end of Shilshole). Anyone making the trip on the water from Shilshole to Port Madison at that time will witness a sea of Lasers!

SYC is hosting the Laser North American Championships thanks to a determined group of Laser sailors led by members Jay Winberg and Zig Burzycki.

The North Americans is a BIG event. Up to two-hundred boats are expected to enter the competition. With that number, event administration both on and off the water becomes a challenge! If any fleet exceeds 80 boats, it may be split into two fleets and eventually sort out into "gold" and "silver" fleets. The best Laser sailors in North America are expected - and some European sailors may turn up as well.

A web site has been set up for the event at www.lasernorthamericans.org - with all of the race information, along with online registration capability. Putting on a regatta like this is a major challenge just in managing all of the details.

A trained Pricipal Race Officer will be brought on to oversee the race management. Several mark set, chase, press and spectator boats are needed out on the water. Events, including opening and awares ceremonies have to be coordinated. Even food and water logistics must be made available to competitors. This race will require an extraordinary volunteer effort from the SYC membership. If you can volunteer - do not hesitate to contact us - we have a spot for you!

Winberg and Burzycki, who have already been working on the event for several months, envision an event Seattle Yacht club and the City of Seattle can be proud of for years to come.

Working closely with the Seattle Parks Department, these organizers have already secured the newly remodeled Bathhouse for certain aspects of the event and have arranged for a secured area of lawn has been set aside for boat storage.

Beacause of the one-design Laser class's Olympic status, the level of dedication from the top sailors has become serious indeed. It is not uncommon for sponsored European sailors to train year round, on the water six or seven days a week. For most of the fleet, however, it's still very much a pass time sport - though one that requires a certain amount of commitment. Age divisions are scored within the fleet as follows: Apprentice Masters (35-44), Masters (45-54), Grand Masters (55-64), and Great Grand Masters (65+); plus women's categories.

Expect the competition within each of those groups to be just as ferocious as the fight between Olympic-level competitors. Four berths to the Laser World Championships held in Brazil will be awarded at this event.

The Laser has been an Olympic class through several olympiads and now the Radial rig has been designated as the women's single-handed boat - replacing the Europe dinghy.

The North American Championship will feature both full and Radial rig classes. Teh full rig is usually sailed by sailors from 145lbs to 210+. The Radial is saided by sailors from 120-160lbs. An enthusiastic contingent of Olympic aspirants are expected in the Radial class.

Perhaps the most exciting thing will be to see a fleet of 150 boats lining the beach at Golden Gardens. Sailors of all ages will wade out with their boats to fill the horizon with sails, while the park regulars look on in amazement.

This regatta will require an extraordinary volunteer effort from the SYC membership. If you can volunteer - do not hesitate to contact us - we have a spot for you! ou can reach Zig or Jay via e-mail at zig@seanet.com or winbergeng@comcast.net.

Please contact us to volunteer your time and to help show the world that Seattle Yacht Club is indeed the BGDYCITWWW!