Sandpoint Sailing Association hosting J/24 championships

SANDPOINT — Sailboats galore will be hitting the waters of Lake Pend Oreille this weekend, as the Sandpoint Sailing Association hosts the 2010 J/24 District 19 Championships on Saturday and Sunday off of the Windbag Marina.

The two-day event will be similar to the SSA’s annual fall Spud Cup, with sailing crews from around the Northwest on hand for two fun days of racing. So far 10 out-of-state boats have registered, and as many as six Sandpoint boats will also be competing, with races beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday.

The boats will be visible from City Beach, with the best viewing to be found out on the new breakwater. A crew from Nelson, B.C. is also competing, prompting event organizer George Kiselica to jokingly call it an international event.

“There could be a beginner racing against a world champion,” said Kiselica, adding the camaraderie is part of the allure of sailing, along with just being out on the water. “You think about nothing else but sailing; all of your worries go away.”

J/24 boats are also called “one design,” which means all of the 24 foot boats are supposed to be exactly equal in specifications. The crews will consist of three sailors, and each day will feature numerous races.

It’s not too late to sign up, and a Friday night registration will take place in front of Trinity at the Beach, beginning at 5 p.m. Organizers will also accept late registrations on Saturday morning, before the captain’s meeting at 8:30 a.m.

For more information, visit “www.sandpointsailing.com.”