CORK has confirmed that kites will be included in the Olympic Classes Regatta event for 2012. The event will be held in Kingston, ON, Canada.
The waters off Kingston offer some of the best fresh-water sailing in the world. Located at the eastern end of Lake Ontario and the head of the St. Lawrence River, the combination of land mass, islands and thermal effects produce excellent wind and wave conditions with very little current.
The launching site is a massive grass area free of any obstacles with short 5 minute ride to the racecourse.
CORK has been running races since 1969 and held the Olympic sailing events in 1976. They have extensive race management expertise and international level race officers and judges.
Kites will have their own racecourse with safety boats. All days will be windward-leeward buoy racing.
Subject to change dependent on number of riders: • Less than 10 riders: 3 day event held on August 18-19-20 with fees in the 120$ range • 10+ riders: 5 day event held on August 18-19-20-21-22 with fees in the 200$ range • We encourage you to register early to help with logistics and choosing dates above. Payment can be made later on. NOTE: Some riders will still be on site the last 2 days to keep training with the other Olympic classes if the regatta is only 3 days.
ISAF racing rules of sailing appendix BB will be in effect. The only restrictions in equipment are that race boards fit the box rule of 190cm in length, 70cm in width and 50cm fins. Multiple kites of any size, multiple boards and fins are allowed during the regatta.
Accomodations: • St-Lawrence college • Queen’s university(5 minute walk from the launch site) • Student housing for rent • Camping • Hotels
Depending on a minimum fleet size, Results may be split into multiple classes to fully recognize each person’s merit within the fleet.
Excellent nightlife, delicious restaurants and the beautiful Kingston waterfront are all there to enjoy after racing.
Notice of race and Sailing instructions to be published soon.
I raced cats in CORK and it is a good venue for single and multi hulls but the Portsmouth Olympic Yacht Club is all concrete and congestion. Where are they launching kites?
There is a sweet launching area just 3-4 minutes east of Portsmouth harbor. The square on the edge of the water is a huge grass area(50m by 100m) with no obstructions of any kind, with the park continuing to the east where there are many bays to self-rescue in case someone misses the launch zone on your way back in light wind(aside from getting picked up by safety boats). Here are the coordinates to enter in google maps search: 44.221303, -76.501763
You can park right next to it on king st. and there is a cement dock extending south-west where spectators can watch(see in satellite mode on google)
I sailed in the CORK laser fleet many times as a teenager (10+ years ago).
I recall sailing in just a shortie, and a huge range of wind conditions. The wind is largely thermal, but thundershowers in the late afternoon are common at that time of year.
Book accommodations early, it's a massive event and every campsite/hotel/dorm gets booked.