Greetings PRSA Sailors!

I hope that everybody has enjoyed their summers.  We are just about one month away from the 2014 President's Cup Regatta (Sept. 6-7).  As your President's Cup Regatta Chair, I want to take a moment to pass along a few details about this year's regatta.  There is a lot of information in this message, so please take a moment to read through all the details and let me know if you have any questions.

First off, the NOR and the link to the "Who's Coming?" list have been posted to the regatta webpage ( http://potomacriversailing.org/nors-sis/presidents-cup/).  Please take a moment to sign up on the "Who's Coming?" list to help us generate some momentum for the regatta.  Sailing Instructions and a link to the online entry form will be posted in the near future.

Second, please note that due to the enforcement of the National Park Service (NPS) provisions regarding vending this year we will not be able to collect regatta entry fees at WSM.  All competitors are asked to pay their President's Cup entry fee in advance, either via PayPal or by mailing a check to PRSA Treasurer Yates Dowell.  Complete details on advance payment will be posted on the regatta website along with a link to the entry form.  You will also receive an email with these details as the regatta approaches.

Third, as you know, since 1994 PRSA has partnered with the Leukemia & Lympohma Society (LLS) to encourage sailors to raise funds for the LLS in conjunction with the President's Cup regatta.  Some changes to the organization of LLS events together with the new attention that the NPS is devoting to certain park regulations mean some changes for the fundraising aspect of the event this year.  Most importantly, it is our intent to run as many races as we can on the one-design courses on Saturday, in the tradition of the President's Cup regatta.  Please note that the LLS party on Saturday will be starting before we finish racing on the PRSA upper course.  We want to get as much racing in as possible, so please plan accordingly. 

Because of the NPS provisions on vending, we are no longer able to run the "one stop shop" registration tables as we have in the past.  All PRSA boats will need to register online and pay in advance via PayPal or check mailed to our PRSA Treasurer for the PRSA regatta entry fee.  Raising funds for the LLS is optional and separate from the President's Cup regatta entry fee.  If you would like to raise funds for the LLS, you can register to do so online with the LLS directly here: http://www.leukemiacup.org/nca/  (click "Register Now" under the regatta announcement).  Boats that raise $100 or more for the LLS by August 15 will have the boat name on the regatta t-shirt.  Raising $100 or more for the LLS by the date of the regatta entitles you to a goody bag from the LLS (including 2 dinner tickets).  The LLS strongly encourages online fundraising in advance of the regatta weekend.  If you want to donate or purchase dinner tickets on the day of the regatta, the LLS will have the Potomac Belle stationed near the docks for the collection of donations and/or purchase of dinner tickets. 

As always, please don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions.  I hope to see you all on the water on Sept. 6-7 for the President's Cup!

Cheers,
Aaron