Inaugural GMAC BOWL REGATTA
Oct 8th, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 8, 2003Media contacts: GMAC Bowl Kelley Wright 251-635-0011, FYC John Rhodes 251-990-8859
Inaugural GMAC BOWL REGATTA
Fairhope-Mobile, AL - The Inaugural GMAC Bowl Regatta will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2003 at the Fairhope Yacht Club (FYC) on Mobile Bay. The announcement of this new featured sailboat race on the Gulf Yachting Association schedule of regattas was made today by Frank Modarelli, Executive Director of the GMAC Bowl, and Stuart Adams, Commodore of the Fairhope Yacht Club.
"This is an exciting addition to the GMAC Bowl's schedule of events preceding the annual post-season football classic. Kicking off this year's activities, The GMAC Bowl Regatta provides an opportunity for our avid sailing community around the Gulf Coast to participate in our GMAC Bowl action-packed program. We are pleased to develop this partnership with the Fairhope Yacht Club and the sports enthusiasts in the sailing community," announced Frank Modarelli, GMAC Bowl Executive Director.
Fairhope Yacht Club Commodore Stuart Adams said, "We are thrilled that the GMAC Bowl accepted our invitation to host this new annual regatta at the Fairhope Yacht Club. This GMAC Bowl Regatta is now the featured regatta on Mobile Bay in the month of December. It is our intention to grow this into one of the premiere sailing events that will draw participants from around the gulf coast area. We look forward to an exciting start this December 6th."
The race is planned to be a long distance event, and a one-design course will be established according to registrants. Boats 19 feet in length and greater are eligible to register and compete. PHRF and PORTSMOUTH spinnaker and non-spinnaker classes will be accepted. The GMAC Bowl is providing trophies. Tickets to the GMAC Bowl game on December 18th will be awarded to participants as supplies last. Some 40-50 boats are expected this first year.
The GMAC Bowl has become noted for exciting match-ups in its first four years. In 2001, the game was the highest scoring bowl game in history, with Marshall University's Thundering Herd defeating East Carolina's Pirates 64-61. Last year's game, won by Marshall over Louisville, received the highest television rating in ESPN2's seven-year history. Each year, the game features top 25 teams, and has had numerous players move on to professional teams.
"We hope that the GMAC Bowl Regatta enthusiasm among sailboats may rival the action and spirited competition seen on the football field at the bowl games," echoed Mr. Modarelli and Mr. Adams. Morning starting time for the race on December 6, 2003 will be announced. Prizes will be awarded at FYC at 6:00 pm followed by dinner and dancing.
The registration fee is $25 per boat for United States Sailing Association (USSA) members and $30 per boat for non-USSA members. Registrations will be accepted at FYC from 6:00 to 7:30 PM on Friday, December 5th with a "skipper's meeting" at 7:30. Registration forms can also be obtained from r_matteis@yahoo.com after November 1, 2003.
The Fairhope Yacht Club is located at 101 Volanta Avenue in Fairhope, Alabama on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, approximately 20 miles from downtown Mobile. It is one of 39 clubs that make up the Gulf Yachting Association, a collection of yacht clubs that stretches from Houston, TX, through Jackson, MS and Birmingham, AL, and down to St. Petersburg, FL.
The 5th annual GMAC Bowl will be played on Thursday, December 18th and will feature a representative from Conference USA vs. either the Mid-American Conference or the Western Athletic Conference. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN2 at 6:30 p.m. CST.
More information on this GMAC Bowl Regatta and driving directions to the club can be obtained at the above e-mail address or by calling 251-928-8888. The GMAC Bowl website is www.gmacbowl.com, and FYC is www.fairhopeyachtclub.com.