TOPIC:

Bump, bump.......
Dropped off the list.

Wasn't last weekend fantastic?
Just imagine another 10 degress on the temp for the same time of year!

Oh, wait - Sarasota, March 2015.

Sign up now.
£300 now and then £75 at the end of each month until October.

Matt

Bump, bump, bump..........ouch

Still time to sign up.
3 spaces available.

£200 now and £100 per month from end of April till end of October.

Post a reply or email me: matthewthompson(at)btconnect.com

Matt

This evening we conducted a planning meeting for 2015 Albacore International Championships at my house. During our last meeting, which occurred in Sarasota with the event PRO and Judge, we reviewed racing protocalls, feed back on preliminary NOR. For this evening we conducted a detailed reading of more refined draft NOR and SIs. Resolved many issues, made lists and assignments for further work. Still a ways to go but we are making good progress. This is going to be wonderful event!

This evening we conducted a planning meeting for 2015 Albacore International Championships at my house. During our last meeting, which occurred in Sarasota with the event PRO and Judge, we reviewed racing protocalls, feed back on preliminary NOR. For this evening we conducted a detailed reading of more refined draft NOR and SIs. Resolved many issues, made lists and assignments for further work. Still a ways to go but we are making good progress. This is going to be wonderful event!

Latest......

Steve Brown has now joined the party.
However, he is taking up Paul Sleemans spot as Paul has unfortunately had to pull out for personal reasons.

Steve will need some assistance with the logistics of getting his boat from Sheltand to the loading point and back again.
Having booked to go to Shetland in June I can see that this cost for Steve x2 could be more expensive than going to Sarasota and back!!

Offers of help direct to Steve please.

Matt

Has any one thought about flights - any travel agents out there? All my kids (I have four) have decided they want to come with me - I was hoping it was to support George and I - but my daughter bought me back to earth informiong me that they just wanted the free holiday in Florida! I am guessing if you book well in advance flights are cheaper. I was going to start looking on the internet - Which Airport is closest to fly into?
Any thoughts or advice much appreciated.
Richard Smith
6959

Hi Richard,

There are several flight options mostly involving changes at either New York or Newark.

I have been scanning flight prices since January.
At that time there were options available for March 2014 - similar time - around £450. You can now see ahead to March 2015 and the prices are similar.
A few options around the £450 and plenty at around £500 - £550.
The cheapest was from Belfast at £391!!
If anyone does spot a good deal going post it here.

On that basis I don't think early booking necessarily means a massive discount.
But as always - the earlier you book the more options are available.
I will probably do my booking sometime over the summer when I have got my head around the shipping logistics.

Departures from London, Birmingham and Manchester are similarly priced.
Fly into Tampa - which Google says is about 60 miles drive to Sarasota, or Orlando which is about 130 miles drive - and goes right past the Disney complex.

Flight prices to either are similar.

I have been looking at RV hire which seems to be the best option - cost wise similar to renting a house/apartment but loads more availability - and avoids the cost of a car as well. Barney reckons it is about a 15 minute walk from the Sailing Club back to St Armands Island which seems to be the hub for shopping/eating/recreation in the area so maybe no need to move the RV once pitched.

Orlando seems to have more RV options than Tampa.
But beware the rules say you cannot pick up the RV the day you land - you need a night in a hotel first. Not sure if the same applies to basic car hire.

Hope this helps.

Matt

Post script.....

Given just how many flight options there are, plus the overnight hotel and then the RV hire I may well use a travel agent to do all the legwork for me and get the best deal.

Latest web search... London to Tampa 14th to 28th March from BargainFlightDesk £445.

Matt

Can't go wrong with the High St (after extensive research) I've been in to Co-OP travel and booked 2 flights Gatwick Orlando. A hotel for the night of arrival (as you can't pick up an RV the same day you land) and an RV for 9 nights 19th-29th March for £2,300 (ish) It's all booked on one itinerary so you're covered for delays etc,ATOL guaranteed and all that business. We've also booked a 4 day cruise round the Bahamas at the end of the Internatiopnals (on the rather ambitious presumption that my husband will still be talking to me after a week front seat driving the Alb) but I'll annoy you about that anon....


Here comes the sun...la la la laaaaaa

H

All,

The current position is as follows:
Steve Brown, who had taken over Paul Sleeman's spot, has withdrawn due to issues with his back. Hopefully it will not stop him drinking at the Scottish Nationals/Europeans in Shetland!!

Tim Wadsworth has also pulled out for personal reasons.

So we now stand at 11 participants.

I have enquired about a 45ft container and the costings are still favourable.
So we can fit all 11 boats in one container. Loading point yet to be confirmed.

Given the lack of interest in the last 3 months I now have to advise that I am closing the book on this project - the 11 subscribed so far will be the 11 boats to go and represent the UK in Sarasota.

First meeting of the 2015 UK campaign to be held at Scaling Dam on Saturday 3rd May.

Matt

I appreciate this is late in the day, but if there is space or another drop out I would be interested in putting 7987 in.
Regards Howard

Hi Howard,

I have noted your interest.
I had said in my last post that I would close the book.

However, I can give it one last chance to get interest from a minimum of 3 but max 4 more boats - 15 or 16 in total.

This would need to be backed up with immediate payment of £900 into the fund from each one.

The container arrangements will need to be sorted as soon as the Nationals are over - less than 7 weeks to decide.

Matt