Join us in Indianapolis and participate in two of the sailing world’s Golden Anniversaries occurring in 2005 when the 70th Interlake Sailing Class Association Nationals are hosted at the 50 year-old Indianapolis Sailing Club from the 27th to the 30th of July by ISCA Fleet 28.

Indianapolis Sailing Club is located on Geist Reservoir at the northeast corner of the City of Indianapolis. The sailboat racing area on Geist is approximately three miles long and can stretch over one-half mile in width providing for a variety of challenging racing courses in different conditions. Long-time ISCA member and past class president, Hans Haupt, will be preparing a special guide on “How to Sail on Geist”, for publication later this year in advance of the Nationals Regatta. The club features: four major docks on a quiet bay off the main reservoir; two electric hoists; a boat launching ramp; a large parking area; a clubhouse with kitchen, restrooms and showers; and approximately 13 acres of partially forested park-like grounds suitable for camping. There are suitable play areas for young children.

The 18,000-acre Geist Reservoir was created in 1943 forming a 7 billion gallon water source for the City of Indianapolis. In 1955 a lease was arranged between the Indianapolis Water Company and the Indianapolis Sailing Association granting the club a ten-year lease on the land and sailing privileges on the reservoir. Charter members changed the name of the association to the Indianapolis Sailing Club in 1957. In 1982 the club arranged to purchase the property. The club has steadily made improvements to the facilities and will continue to do so with some special memorial additions this year. ISC and Fleet 28 last hosted the ISCA National Championships in 1995.

This year the Nationals will be held Wednesday through Saturday, in the same final week of July time-slot as in 2004 but at the end of the week rather than the beginning of the week as held last year.

Former ISCA Class President Don Wilson is co-chairing the local Nationals Race Committee (NRC) along with ISC Fleet 28 Captain, Bryan Sarber. The ISCA NRC is chaired by ISCA Vice-President Kevin Bracy who is supported by Bob Sagan, Brad Huntley, Jamie Jones, Martin Howell, and locals John Nagle and Don Wilson.

The Principal Race Officer will be Rich Jeffries who was a professional race manager for Hobie and recently served as Evaluation Panel Chairman to recommend the windsurfing equipment to be used at the 2008 Olympics. Mr. Jeffries was the competition venue manager at Savannah for the 1996 Olympics sailing events and the competition manager in Long Beach for the 1984 Olympics.

Nationals entry forms will be available soon on the ISCA and ISC websites as well as in the Intercom. Entries must be postmarked by July 1, 2005 or be subject to a late fee.

The Chief Judge for the 2005 ISCA Nationals will be Mr. Gary Shoemaker of Gross Pointe, Michigan. He is highly recommended by Ted Everingham, Chairman of US Sailing’s Committee on Judges. This regatta will be governed by the current Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS), the prescriptions (50 KB) of US Sailing, the current ISCA By Laws, the Notice of Race (NOR) (20 KB), the Sailing Instructions and any amendments thereto. Sailing Instructions will be provided upon registration.

Again, this year the Nationals will include Women’s and Juniors Racing Series (19 KB). No qualifying series are planned. The traditional Championship and Challenger fleets are scheduled to participate in ten (10) races. The ten Championship and Challenger fleet races are scheduled for four each on Thursday and Friday, and two on Saturday morning.The Women’s and Juniors race series are scheduled for Wednesday, July 27 2005.

Registration and measurement of boats and sails is scheduled for Tuesday, July 26th from 1400 through 1900 hours and on Wednesday, July 27th from 1000 through 1800 hours.

A welcoming party sponsored by Interlake builder-Customflex owner, Terry Kilpatrick, is scheduled to begin at 1830 hours on Wednesday, July 27. This year our Fleet 28-hosted Thursday night dinner will feature a Hawaiian Luau presented by a native of the Islands, ISC Interlaker David Remick. Friday evening will offer a variety of dining choices with Fleet 28 sailors leading visitors to various local dining and entertainment venues. The 2005 Nationals will close with an awards banquet on Saturday evening, July 30th.

Nearby shopping, dining, and many major cultural attractions including: the Indianapolis Children’s Museum, Indianapolis Zoo, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Connor Prairie Living History Museum, Indiana State History Museum, and, of course, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum await the interests of non-sailing family members or all before and after the regatta.

More information on the 2005 Interlake National Championships is forthcoming on the ISCA and ISC websites as well as the ISCA Intercom. The local Regatta Chairmen can be reached at the following numbers and addresses:

Don Wilson
616 Caesar Drive
Avon, IN 46123
(317) 272-6801

Bryan Sarber
9764 Springstone Road
McCordsville, IN 46055
(317) 335-7385

You can download the official entry form here (24 KB).