Huge turnout in Weymouth for 2011 IFDs Worlds

The excitement is building in Weymouth, UK, as elite disabled sailors descend on the coastal city for the 2011 IFDS Worlds. Staged at the Olympic and Paralympic sailing venue, the 2011 IFDS Worlds boasts some eye-popping participation figures, as the organizers reported on the event website, www.IFDSWorlds2011.com. Many of the same competitors will bring their talents to Charlotte Harbor in January for the 2012 IFDS Worlds, Jan. 7-15, 2012.

Below is a report from Weymouth:

"163 sailors in 96 boats from 30 nations will gather at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy from Thursday (30 June) for the IDFS Disabled Sailing Combined World Championships 2011.
More than 160 of the World’s top Paralympic sailing talents are ready to stake their claim for supremacy on the London 2012 race course as the IFDS Disabled Sailing Combined World Championships 2011 get underway in Weymouth and Portland on Thursday (30 June)."

Disabled Clearwater sailor has sights set on 2012 IFDS Worlds

Many disabled sailors, including St. Pete's Jen French, Cape Coral's Paul Callahan and Estero's Mark Bryant, hope to take advantage of a "home field advantage" in the 2012 IFDS Worlds on Charlotte Harbor. Count Clearwater's Brad Kendall among them, too.

Kendall, a double-amputee following an airplane crash that killed his father and best friend, competes in the Sonar class. He racked up a 3rd place in the 2011 Miami OCRs in January. He was named US Sailing 2010 Paralympian of the Year. This Victoria Lim story, was originally published on the Bright House Sports Network website, and subsequently appeared on Scuttlebutt.

Looking forward to seeing Kendall on Charlotte Harbor.

King Fisher Fleet to provide spectator rides for IFDS Worlds

King Fisher Fleet, the premier fishing and sight-seeing charter boat operator on Charlotte Harbor, will be providing spectator boat rides for the 2012 IFDS Worlds, set for Jan. 7-15, 2012. The 90-minute, $16.95 trips will depart from Fishermen's Village Resort & Marina in Punta Gorda, Florida at noon on Jan. 10-Jan 15. The boat is wheelchair accessible. For information on trip times, contact King Fisher at 941-639-0969.

Lowe's wins bid for 2012 IFDS Worlds dock project

Lowe's Lumber of Port Charlotte won a competitive bid to supply parts and materials for Charlotte Harbor Regatta Inc.'s floating dock project in preparation for the 2012 IFDS Worlds, set for Jan. 7-15, 2012 at Laishley Park Municipal Marina.

Lowe's beat out seven respondents for the project bid, which was led by dock committee co-chairs Jack MacDonald and Roger Strube. Christine Agostini, commercial sales associate for Lowe's, handled the bid. In these photos (from left to right), Lowe's Jason Ayers, MacDonald, CHR Vice Chairman Martin Holland, Agostini, Strube and Lowe's Port Charlotte assistant store manager Pete Thompson commemorated the contract signing with a ceremonial photo-op in front of the store.

The $62,000 dock project is being funded in part by a $50,000 grant from Charlotte County's boater improvement fund and a $10,000 donation from local philanthropist Michael Simmons. For information about sponsorships and donations, go to www.IFDSWorlds2012.com and click on "Sponsors."

Volunteers needed for dock project

Charlotte Harbor Regatta Inc., host organization for the 2012 International Association for Disabled Sailing World Championships, is seeking volunteers to help construct floating docks for use in this prestigious international regatta. Work parties will be scheduled for July through October. For information, contact Jack MacDonald (carina01@embarqmail.com) or Roger Strube (rogerstrube@embarqmail.com).

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St. Pete disabled sailor Jen French featured in hometown paper

SKUD-18 Paralympian Jen French, who is in training to earn a spot on the US Paralympic sailing team and compete in the 2012 Paralympics in Weymouth, was featured in an article in the Cleveland Plain-Dealer. Check out the story here. Congratulations, Jen. Looking forward to see you and teammate J.P. Creignou again here on Charlotte Harbor for the 2012 IFDS Worlds.

Three great events, one awesome trip to Florida

Will you be in Weymouth for the 2011 IFDS Worlds? Start your planning for the 2012 IFDS Worlds on Charlotte Harbor and enjoy three great regattas in one awesome trip to Florida. Click the flyer below for details.

Charlotte awards IFDS dock project grant

The Charlotte County Commission approved a $50,000 boater improvement fund grant to Charlotte Harbor Regatta, Inc., for its dock-building project for the 2012 International Association for Disabled Sailing World Championships, set for Jan. 7-15, 2012 on Charlotte Harbor, Florida.

"We appreciate the confidence the commissioners have shown in our efforts to showcase Charlotte Harbor as one of the world's great sailing harbors," said Brian Gleason, event chairman of the 2012 IFDS Worlds and chairman of Charlotte Harbor Regatta Inc., the event's organizing authority. "Our board is committed to making the docks available for public use after the IFDS Worlds, providing access to our great harbor for boaters."

Become an IFDS Worlds Ambassador

Show everyone you support the inspiring athletes competing in the 2012 IFDS Worlds with an Ambassador shirt. Made from cool, dry, wrinkle-free microfiber, this collared Polo-style shirt is available in four colors and men's and women's styles. Go to www.ifdsworlds2012.com and click on Our Store to order online or by mail.

Online registration for 2012 IFDS Worlds now open

Online registration is now open for the 2012 International Association for Disabled Sailing World Championships set for Jan. 7-15, 2012 on Charlotte Harbor, Florida.

Online registration at the event website, www.IFDSWorlds2012.com, is powered by RegattaTech, the firm used for the 2011 Charlotte Harbor Regatta and the upcoming 2011 2.4mR Pre-Worlds at Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club.

"The easy-to-use registration page is great for competitors and the customer service from Chris Rousseau and his team is fast and reliable," said 2012 IFDS Worlds Event Chairman Brian Gleason.