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KOPF BLURS THE 2007 SOUTHEAST DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE

23 NOVEMBER 2007 • Article From Reid Collins, USMCA Southeast District Governor - Congratulations to Steve Kopf and his team on Blur who won the 2007 Melges 24 Southeast Circuit title this past weekend in Jacksonville, Florida at the King's Day Regatta|Atlantic Coast Championship. With consistent finishes and solid participation through the year, this team has shown the eighty-one boats who competed in the circuit how it is done, ultimately winning a new jib - compliments of the 2007 title sponsor - Quantum Sails.

VIEW the final results of the circuit and document containing the current and past winners of the title. In the document is the trophy I forgot to award at the presentation, but is now in Steve's hands through his defense of the title next year. He got the important goods though. We all owe a huge thank you to Scott Nixon with Quantum Sails who made this year's title run one of the most interesting and competitive in addition to their continued support to the class and circuit. Also, I want to thank everyone who competed in the 10th SE Circuit Championship. Plan to fully participate next year as well as I am sure it will become even more competitive with the stakes likely to be presented. Following is the schedule for the 2008 circuit:

2008 SOUTHEAST DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

2007 Key Largo Regatta
Key Largo, FL
Dec 8-9

Sperry Top-Side St. Petersburg NOOD Regatta
St. Petersburg, FL
Feb 15-17

Davis Island Regatta
Tampa, FL
Mar 1-2

Southeast Inland Championship
(Atlanta, GA) Lake Lanier, GA
Mar 29-30

Charleston Race Week
Charleston, SC
Apr 17-21

U.S. National Championship
Charleston, SC
Sept 18-21

WFORC
Pensacola, FL
Oct 11-12

King's Day Regatta
Jacksonville, FL
Nov 15-16

The best four regattas will count and those regattas marked with * will be eligible for 10 point travel bonus based on following matrix similar to last year. Teams will be awarded travel bonuses based on their closest venue and must travel to specified venues.

TRAVELING BONUSES : CLOSEST VENUE TO PARTICIPANT VS. QUALIFYING TRAVEL BONUS REGATTA VENUES
Atlanta, GA - Key Largo, FL & Tampa, FL
Charleston, SC - Key Largo, FL & Pensacola, FL
Pensacola, FL - Key Largo, FL & Charleston, SC
Tampa, FL - Pensacola, FL & Atlanta, GA
Key Largo, FL - Atlanta, GA & Pensacola, FL

Also keep in mind, the traveling bonus and schedule may have to be adjusted given the drought conditions experienced by Atlanta and the extremely low Lake Lanier levels. This regatta may be moved as we get close to this regatta. We are currently looking at venues along the Gulf Coast as a backup plan to Atlanta.

We are currently working on sponsorship for 2008 and I hope to let you know who has been selected for 2008 before the Key Largo regatta kicks off 2008 in just a few weeks. The guys in Key Largo are working on making this new regatta an excellent event, so now is the time to plan to make the Key Largo Regatta and start the 2008 season off right.

Please check my scoring on the results and if changes are necessary, please send an EMAIL. Also, feel free to contact me directly if you have questions or feedback on the circuit as well as I'd like to continue to try to make our racing the best it can be.

Best Regards,

Reid Collins
USMCA SE Governor, USA-604 Desperate Measures
(404) 259-4346 (Cell)