Border Run Rolls Back Entry Fees for Sailors

Byline: The Log Staff

Border Run Rolls Back Entry Fees for Sailors

NEWPORT BEACH — The Border Run International Sailing Event organizers, in response to requests from sailors, have announced a decision that will keep this year’s race entry fees lower than in 2010. For sailors who have already registered and those registering between now and the April 6 race start, all late fees will be waived.

There is still time to enter, and the entry fees now range from $39 to $159 — depending on the course and the size of the boat.

“We know that the economy has taken a toll on the average sailor, but we are still going all out with bands, prizes, parties, guest speakers and more,” said Bob Long, co-founder of the Border Run.

“We have worked to keep entry fees lower than (they were in) 2010, but we are retaining the race and its associated events at high standards,” Long said. “In trying to keep costs down for the sailor, we have arranged a delicious $6 buffet for the San Diego Trophy Party, catered by the Bay Club Hotel and Resort on Shelter Island. We also have our best prizes to date: a personal $400 EPIRB by West Marine, a new $1,000 stand-up paddleboard by BORD and a new $1,300 inflatable catamaran dinghy by Takacat.”

The 2013 Border Run will kick off with a Send-Off Party at the Balboa Inn on Friday night, April 5 — with a band, food and guest speaker Gino Morrelli of Team New Zealand bringing sailors up to date on the 2013 America’s Cup.

Then, on Saturday morning, April 6, hundreds of sailors will start off the Balboa Pier to race down the coast to Dana Point or San Diego via Coronado del Norte island, depending on the course they have selected.

“This year’s start will be great fun, as we have a conventional rolling start planned — with the slower boats starting first and the faster boats starting last,” said John Marshall of South Shore Yacht Club, the organizing authority of the event. “This new start will help sailors finish closer together, to enjoy the festivities at each port.”

Sailors finishing on the Dana Point Sprint Course will party at Dana Point Yacht Club. There will be food and a live band at the Saturday night Trophy Party. The 14-mile Sprint Course allows everything from Opt-prams, Lasers and Hobie Cats to large PHRF boats, retaining the Border Run’s original motto: “Where Everyone’s Invited,” Long said.

Sailors racing on the two San Diego courses will finish with a party at Driscoll’s Shipyard on Shelter Island — with a live band, food and beverages catered by the Bay Club. The band this year is Sand Dollar, which was a big hit at the 2012 Border Run2 last June, race organizers said.

Racers can choose from three courses: the 14-mile Dana Point Sprint Course, the 70-mile San Diego Course or the longer 90-mile Coronado Course, sailing around Coronado del Norte island to San Diego. No matter which course you choose, a party and good times are waiting for racers at the finish, organizers said.

For 2013, the finish line has been changed for the San Diego Course, while the Dana Point Course racers will still finish outside the harbor.

“The finish line for San Diego has been changed, due to the requests of the sailors,” Marshall said. In past years, the finish line has always been off Zuniga Jetty. This year, sailors will finish off the 24-hour fishing pier on Shelter Island, allowing friends and family to watch their favorite boat finish, day or night.

“The sailors loved it in Border Run2, so we have implemented the new finish line for the original Border Run,” said Stephen Ashley of Shoreline YC, whose club is assisting South Shore YC with the running of the 2013 Border Run.

The Border Run is organized by xsracing.org, South Shore YC, Dana Point YC and Shoreline YC and is sponsored by Pirates Lair, Ullman Sails and West Marine.

For more information on the Border Run, call (800) 366-8584 or visit theborderrun.org.

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