December 2 & 3, 2006

(A one day event.  Practice & tuning on the non-race day either Saturday, the 2nd or Sunday, the 3rd.  If conditions allow, Sunday December 3, 2006 will be the preferred race day to coincide with the Hobie Cat Commordore's Cup)

A US Windsurfing National Race Tour Event (NRT)

The i to i, (Inlet to Inlet Distance Race), will take place on Fort Lauderdale South Beach on either Saturday December 2nd or Sunday December 3rd. The final day and race course will be determined according to the prevailing weather conditions, but the preferred course will be Port Everglades Inlet to the Hillsboro Inlet and back.  The non race day will be practice and tuning and won't score towards the event and is optional.  See below for update status.

It's about 11.5 miles from inlet to inlet. Depending on the wind direction and strength it could take as little as an hour or quite a bit longer! The marks are far enough offshore that the race can and will be run in offshore winds. As this is a bit of distance to cover and the possibility of breakdown, fatigue, or injury exists, combined with potential offshore winds, it will be strongly encouraged that you carry a cell phone for emergency use. There are secure waterproof bags to carry cell phones in that allow their use in the water without damage to the phone from seawater entry. Please don't take chances with your safety and procure a case for your phone and bring it with to the race as there will not be chase boats or anyone but yourself looking after you. With that said, the coast is pretty friendly up and back, and with the exception of most of Fort Lauderdale public beach and a small stretch of Pompano public beach, anywhere along the beach is a landing spot for a rest or adjustment if needed. A map of the shoreline will be handed out with some landmarks you'll see from the water and distances marked from the start. If winds are light, or interest in a shorter course for all or part of the entrants, that will considered as well the day of the race. If weather conditions allow, the race will be run at the same time, with a separate start, as the Cat 44 Hobie fleet who will be running their annual event, Commodore's Cup, in the same format.

Race rules: Be safe, have fun, try to finish, attempt to be first! Any board, any sail, any craft that can go the distance is welcome. What you start with, you must finish with, unless you come back to the start and re-start with other gear. We'll write down your sail number and home/cell phone number at the skippers meeting.

Classes & Scoring:  Class scoring offered for submission to US Windsurfing National Race Tour will be Formula, Formula Experience, Prodigy, RS/X and Open.  As this is a long distance race, a single start will be held with all sailboard classes to start at once.  Scoring will be in order of finish, with qualifying classes to be scored as separate classes.  For scores to be recognized for the US Windsurfing NRT a minimum of three participants is required to form a class score.  

Prize(s): TBA

Entry Fee: None per se, but bring your cell phone in a waterproof bag that you can use on/in the water.

First possible race start Saturday, December 2, 2006, 9:00 am. It's a good idea to arrive early (7:30 am), to get an easy parking spot at Fort Lauderdale City Lot, ($1 Residents, $6 others for all day parking). There is grass to rig on the north end of the lot closest to our launch. Practice / fun sailing Saturday or Sunday depending on weather conditions. Possibility for guest lodging in homes of locals.

For more information: Ron Kern (954) 565-4154 or ron@ronkern.com

Update Status:  11/14/06 website updated 2006 NOR posted.

Previous Years of i To i Results, Photos & NOR's