Chairman's Welcome

Columbus Day Crest

Florida's oldest sporting event afloat, commemorating a small boat cruise made in 1492

	“I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tallship, and a star to sail her by,...”
	Excerpt from Sea Fever by John Masefield (1878-1967 English Poet Laureate)

Welcome to the 53rd Columbus Day Regatta...commemorating a small boat cruise made in 1492.

Christopher Columbus went “...down to the seas...” many, many times from the age of fourteen. His four voyages of discovery earned his appointment as Admiral of the Ocean Seas and opened the sea lanes from the old world to the new. This year, for the fifty-third celebration on Biscayne Bay, we “...go down to the seas again...” to participate in Florida’s largest sporting event afloat. However, it takes much, much more than “ ...a tallship, and a star...” to make the event enjoyable for racers and crews. So I would like to take this opportunity to recognize everyone’s participation, time, energy, funds, products and donations, throughout the year, to make this regatta successful.

Racers come from near and far with their yachts to enter two days of challenging and friendly racing. Biscayne Bay is one of the world’s most spectacular yacht racing venues. Elliot Key is a jewel of Florida’s natural seashore. For many entrants, it is their only race of the year. For others, it is a moderate distance test for the active racing crew. Families enter for an enjoyable event for all ages. Others enter just to be there. It is fun for everyone.

Coral Reef Yacht Club has been the home of the organizing Committee for many years. Coconut Grove Sailing Club, Biscayne Bay Yacht Club, Biscayne Bay Yacht Racing Association, Miami Yacht Club, Key Biscayne Yacht Club, Lauderdale Yacht Club and Gulfstream Sailing Club members help with many, many, many duties. West Marine has been generous with their support as our Gold Sponsor in past years and also grants space for our programs and T-Shirts. Florida Yacht Charters & Sales has contributed use of their vessels for the starts and finishes. Goslings Rum continues support with Gold Bermuda Rum pours and prizes for the awards party. The Mutiny Hotel is our host hotel, giving a trophy and two free nights. Lightning Printing makes a great commitment in time and services to make the brochure possible. Scotty’s Landing delivered the paper on the water at the anchorage on the second race day. Permits are granted by the Coast Guard and The National Park Service, Biscayne National Park. These agencies extend efforts to ensure safety on the water and in the park, not only on race days, but every day of the year. In addition to these organizations, there are a host of banner-makers, sign-makers, trophy-makers, sail-makers, pouch-printers, and food and beverage purveyors that contribute products and services. We appreciate each and every one of them and everything that they do.

The Committee is comprised of long time members as well as recent members. Everyone helps and works throughout the year before the actual weekend in October. So to Coral Reef Yacht Club, our local clubs, sponsors, advertisers, the yacht entries, Skippers, Crews and to The Columbus Day Regatta Committee, a very hearty Thank You for making The 53^rd Columbus Day Regatta possible.

And so we “...go down to the seas again...” to race in a fifty-three year old regatta commemorating a five-hundred-and-fifteen year old cruise, both landing somewhere near Biscayne Bay.

Warm Winds & Fair Sailing,

Liz Gabay
Chairman
Columbus Day Regatta 2007

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