Lakewood Yacht Club’s newest offshore race is from Galveston to Gulfport, MS scheduled for May 25 -31.  This is roughly 425 nautical miles across the Gulf of Mexico to the new Gulfport Yacht Club and marina.

“Many races are run from Galveston south down the coast to Port Aransas and beyond, but we were looking for a new destination going east this year,” explained Gulfport Race Chairman Jim Winton.  “We hope to have about 30 boats at the starting line in Galveston for this race and then perhaps a number of boats will stay in Gulfport to participate in the Gulfport to Pensacola Race which starts on June 15.”

Being only a seven hour drive or just over a one hour flight from the Houston/Galveston area, the Gulfport destination will give friends and family a chance to join the post-race party and activities in the Gulfport/Biloxi area.  It will also allow power boaters an opportunity to run the Intracoastal Waterway to join in the fun.

Entry deadline is Sunday, May 6 with the late entry cutoff on Sun., May 13.  There will be three starts:  cruising boats will start at 2 pm at Houston Ship Channel Buoy 11 on Fri., May 25; PHRF Fleet will start on Sat., May 26, 2 pm at Houston Ship Channel Buoy 11; and the Multihull Start will be on the same and same time.  The finish deadline is Thurs., May 31, 1 pm.

This is a Category 2 race open to all racing, cruising, spinnaker and non-spinnaker sailing yachts.  Monohull yachts must be at least 30’ LOD and must have a minimum crew of four capable sailors.  Multihulls must be at least 27’ in length and have a minimum crew of three experienced sailors.

The Awards Banquet will be on Thurs., May 31 at the new Gulfport Yacht Club. 

To register and enter the race, please go to the website www.galvestontogulfport.com  The entry fee is $275 with a $25 discount for US SAILING members.