We at Carlyle Sailing Association (CSA) hope you will join us for the 2012 Flying Scot North American Championships (NACs) June 23 through 29 at beautiful Lake Carlyle, near Carlyle, Illinois.  CSA has hosted the NACs four times, most recently in 2004.  In addition, the club regularly hosts regional and national events; for example, the Championship of Champions was held here in 2010. The venue is one of the best in the US for small boat sailing, with plenty of paved car and boat parking, three electric jib cranes for hoisting boats into and out of the water, and a protected harbor adjoining the 26,000-acre lake.

The location is rural, with little traffic, a few tractors, and lots of corn and soybean fields.  Yet we are only 50 miles from downtown St. Louis with all its “big city” attractions.  Accommodations range from a beautiful campground next to the harbor, to cabins on the lakefront, to modern chain motels a 15-minute drive away.

Our race committee is experienced in race management and safety.  The lake is 

8 miles by 3 miles, large enough to have a wide open championship racecourse for any wind direction.  Weather conditions are typical of the Midwest, influenced by the highs and lows moving through the area.  In late June, winds average 5 to 15 miles per hour and temperatures average 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. 

The NACs provide a wonderful vacation opportunity for the whole family. It’s a chance to meet old friends and make new ones and to compete at a high level.  For newer sailors, the week-long racing provides the opportunity to improve 

sailing skills.  In one week, you will probably learn more about sailing safely and maximizing speed than in a year of casual sailing.  Also, the formal and informal opportunities to learn from the experts are always meaningful and rewarding. 

Check out the NAC Web site for details, including registration, accommodations, and attractions for non-sailing family members.  It’s at www.csa-sailing.org/nacs.  Get your registration and motel reservations in early so you don’t miss out on the fun.  If all your questions are not answered there, contact me at jamesbharris@att.net.

And remember–it’s a sport and we will have fun!