The annual Busan Cup Regatta is almost here again.  The dates are July 24th and 25th.  Of course we will be entering our boats into the Pico class so all members who wish to race, let me know ASAP, as we only have 4 boats to enter.  If you wish to race on a keelboat, I can arrange that for you as well.  There will be an opening ceremony and dinner at the Grand Hotel.  All members are requested to join.  You may bring along one guest.  As usuall, the club will cover all your fees and meals for this event. 

Did you see the latest issue of Busan Haps?  Well you'll notice that we've made the cover.  And to celebrate, we're offering 30,000 Won off any individual Dinghy lessons, or 50,000 off the Fully Monty Package.  In order to qualify, you must pay and register before the end of this month.

The May 22 - 23rd class has been changed from Dinghy Master to Beginner dinghy due to lack of students.  May 29 - 30th has been changed to Dinghy Master.  Sorry for the inconvenience.

For the months of April and May, take the beginner dinghy course for only 150,000 won.  Or take both the Beginner and Master course for 300,000 won.  You can pay now and take the classes at anytime, even after spring.

The Busan Cup Women’s International Match Race to be held from October thirtieth to November fourth has finalized their list of skippers for the 2009 grade 1 women’s match race.  The teams are made up of nationals from 10 countries making this a truly international event.  The regatta expects to draw much more attention this year with the inclusion of women’s match racing in the 2012 London Olympics.

World’s Top-ranked Claire Leroy from France will head a list of elite sailors vying for the cup this year.  She returns along with Sally Barkow from the USA who won last year’s inaugural cup by defeating Leroy in the finals 3-0.

Also coming back is Liz Baylis, president of the Women’s International Match Racing Association (WIMRA).  She will also conduct the WIMRA North U Match Racing Clinic which will be held from October twenty-sixth to the twenty-eighth.

Due to the resounding success of the 2008 race, this year’s version was able to attract the best teams in the sport today.  Other confirmed participants in the world ranking top ten include Lucy Macgregor from the GBR, Anne-Claire Le Berre of France, and Lotte Meldgaard Pederson from Denmark.

Representing the Asian region, Japan’s Urara Fujii, the Japan’s reining Match Race champion, and hometown girl Hye-won Park will return after doing well in the 2008 race. 

The race will also include up-and-comers Susanne Ward from Denmark and Annelies Thies of the Netherlands, as well as match racing veteran Martina Kalemo of Finland.  Tylinska Katarzyna of Poland will also return to round out the field of 12 teams.  To find out more about this event, visit the website at www.busanmatch.com