HPDO 2011 (Oct. 8-9, Rye, NY) - 30 registered so far...

[Peter Beardsley]

I realize that the NAs this year are the weekend before the HPDO, and obviously NAs are very important.   But for people who either aren't able to attend the NAs for whatever reason, or who want to get more bang for their buck, the HPDO is the following weekend and for east coasters, is on the way back from Sarnia (slight detour that would only add 90 minutes or so onto your trip back to Newport, Mystic or Marblehead), and since the boat will already be packed up, you can just drop boats at American YC for the week (or maybe even Larchmont if AYC runs out of space).  Not going to volunteer beds on behalf of the western CT Viperers, but we can help with housing on the Larchmont end, so there should be beds.  6 boats are signed up already, but I've heard another 10+ boats who aren't registered say that they plan to be there -- two months away, never too early to boost the entries.  

Online registration at http://www.yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=478

[Darren Gilbert]

Thanks for the heads up Peter.  I'm in!

[Peter Beardsley]

Don't look now -- 12 Vipers signed up already, with another 6+ that I know about who say they are coming.  Sign up today -- the more boats signed up, the more boats who will sign up...

[Olaf Bleck]

I'm in.  Peter, please sign me up for a postSarnia drop off slot.

Cheers!

[Peter Beardsley]

Nice.  Lots of stragglers on the entry end too.  13 signed up, not counting folks who have already said they're coming like Taselaar, Scott, Kozak, Goodrich, Nickerson, Mroz, a couple of other Stamford boats, probably a couple more Newporters and Marbleheaders too -- could easily end up with 25+ boats on the line again.  Good times.  

[Doug Mroz]

14 boats!

[Peter Beardsley]

If anyone wants to come but is short on crew, I know of 2 people who are also potential future owners who would like to crew in the HPDO (but would want to sail together).  One male, one female, combined weight around 300 lbs, experienced racers.  PM or email for details. 

[Peter Beardsley]

Now up to 17 Vipers at the 2011 HPDO.  Time for a fleet headcount:

Larchmont: 5 out of 6.5 (6th is sailing 49ers at HPDO, counting Mroz as a Larchmont guy now that he's moved to the area, 0.5 is Taselaar with splitting time in Newport)

Western CT: 4 out of 11

Eastern CT: 3 out of 4

Marblehead: 3 out of 11ish

Newport: 1 out of 10 [no regatta conflicts in Naragansett Bay that weekend, come on down, guys]

Others (Canadians, upstaters, etc.) 1 out of _______

Can work out free housing, etc. for anyone who wants if they sign up early enough and let us know -- same with spare crews, etc.  And if people want to come down REALLY early, they can leave boats at LYC for free and race with us Sept. 4, Sept. 10-11 and Sept. 24 (all Viper one design starts on those days). 

[Peter Beardsley]

20 Vipers now.  Apparently today is the last day to request free housing through AYC.  We will see what we can do on the free housing end through the Larchmont fleet for any stragglers.  However, on Sept. 9 a $40 late entry fee kicks in -- that we can't help with since it's not our event, so sign up today to avoid that problem.

Larchmont: 5 out of 6.5 (6th is sailing 49ers at HPDO, counting Mroz as a Larchmont guy now that he's moved to the area, 0.5 is Taselaar with splitting time in Newport)

Western CT: 5 out of 11

Eastern CT: 3 out of 4

Marblehead: 4 out of 11ish

Newport: 3 out of 10 [no regatta conflicts in Naragansett Bay that weekend, come on down, guys]

Others (Canadians, upstaters, etc.) 1 out of _______

[Peter Beardsley]

Reminder to all that today is Wednesday, and the late fee kicks in this Friday (Sept. 9).  Sign up today at http://www.yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=478

We have 25 Vipers registered, not counting people who have said they will be there (dem Bliksemites, new owner Rich Prieto, possibly 'dem Argonauts, a couple of other Newporters, possibly another Canadian surprise or two like Luke Porter via Halifax, etc.).  There will be 25-30 Vipers out as usual.  The breeze will likely be good (as usual), there will be lots and lots of Heineken (as usual), and depending on a couple of logistical issues, there's a chance that the Vipers will be based out of Larchmont YC instead of American YC to give everyone access to more hoists (3 vs. 2) since it is a short drive from LYC to AYC post racing and we'll have more space and less hoist competition, TBD.  

If anyone is short on crew or housing, both are very easy solutions -- just email me ASAP -- don't let that be the reason you don't sail.  

Fleet headcount:

Larchmont: 5 out of 6.5 (6th is sailing 49ers at HPDO, counting Mroz as a Larchmont guy now that he's moved to the area, 0.5 is Taselaar with splitting time in Newport)

Western CT: 6 out of 11

Eastern CT: 3 out of 4

Marblehead: 4 out of 11ish

Newport: 3 out of 10 [no regatta conflicts in Naragansett Bay that weekend, come on down, guys]

Others (Canadians, upstaters, southerners) 4 out of _______

[Darren Gilbert]

We are just wondering where all out of town Viper people are staying?

[Peter Beardsley]

If people need housing and haven't contacted the event chair for options, please let me know ASAP and I will see what I can do on a first come, first serve basis.

[Darren Gilbert]

Hi Peter, we're going to need housing for the event.  Do you have any recommendations for hotels in the area?

[Peter Beardsley]

From the NOR:
Hotels/motels within 10 miles of AYC include:
 Mamaroneck Motel: tel 914 698 0671 http://www.mamaroneckmotel.com/
 Vincent's: 1514 Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, NY Tel: 914 698 8562
 Courtyard by Marriott in Rye: http://marriott.com/courtyard

The first two on that list are inexpensive but I am told slightly on the sketchy side (don't know first hand, haven't stayed there).  Other options include:

New Rochelle Residence Inn by Marriott
35 Lecount Place
New Rochelle, NY 10801
(914) 636-7888
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hpnri-residence-inn-new-rochelle/

Radisson Hotel New Rochelle
1 Radisson Plaza
New Rochelle, NY 10801
(914) 576-3700
http://www.radisson.com/hotels/us/ny/new_rochelle/1332

Crowne Plaza Hotel White Plains-Downtown
66 Hale Avenue
White Plains, NY 10601
(914) 682-0050
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hotel/hpncp?&externalHotelDetailHit=true

The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester Hotel
3 Renaissance Square
White Plains, NY 10601
(914) 946-5500
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Westchester/Default.htm

Hilton Rye Town
699 Westchester Avenue
Rye Brook, NY 10573
(914) 939-6300
http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/RYEHIHH-Hilton-Rye-Town-New-York/index.do

Doral Arrowwood
975 Anderson Hill Road
Rye Brook, NY 10573
(914) 939-5500
http://www.doralarrowwood.com/?src=googlemaps_homepage_link

Also, we may be able to put a few teams up in people's homes (hence the first come, first serve part).  People need to email me to specifically request that option though.  Also, event organizers may be able to do the same if you email them ASAP. 

[Matt Rowlinson]

We stayed at the Mamaronek Motel last year--it was fine; good value and convenient to the regatta.