Post by Peter Cogan on Jun 6, 2002 16:34:19 GMT -5
We have managed to arrange a deal with the top hotel in Key West to host the North Americans at the same time as we had proposed. The rates are $129 (over a weekend) about the same as any hotel in Key Largo with much better accommodations. I stayed in the Best Western Key Largo at the same time while sailing the 2000 A Cat NA's and the weekend rate was $135 for a land locked hotel without the same amenities. The other issue on accommodations is the Homestead NASCAR event is on around this time and the hotel prices from South Miami to the upper Keys go up substantially over that time period.
We still intend to have Rick White run the races.
We have also got Square One a top end restaurant to provide dinner during the event and should have confirmation on a second restaurant in the next few days. Key West is a much better venue for the non sailing members of your party, with a lot more to do both during the day and at night.
Sailing conditions are far superior in Key West as well. The hotel is on the Southern tip of the island and has a beach and grass area. Sailing would be in the ocean where Key West race week and the Melges 24 Worlds were held with the option of a short sail to the bay side should the conditions dictate. This will ensure the best winds for the event. <br>
The only down side to Key West (I have spent several months in the Keys during the last few winters) is the extra distance but this is more than made up for by the resort and the better sailing conditions. <br>
Running it at Rick's is familiar to some but the accommodations in the at area are no where near the same standard. The wind at Rick's also leaves a lot to be desired. The A Cat North Americans were held there during the same time winds were light and very shifty with a lot of holes, the same can be said for the other events I have raced there. We have been looking at other venues for the North Americans due to the wind problem at Rick's. <br>
I do not feel that there should be any question as to where the better venue is the only question should be do we run it in Key West over a weekend (Fri-Sun) or during the week? If you are traveling from the North it is two days to get there and two home. In my opinion it is better to travel on the weekend and have 4 or 5 days of racing than to take off time from work and spend it driving, we have not looked into a rate for mid week at the resort but we can if it is what people want. The down side is more days of racing means more accommodation costs but the winter is long if you live up North. <br>
I am not going to say it will be cheaper to do this event in Key West but it will not be a lot more than running it in Key Largo. Remember you can find a lot of notell motels anywhere without maid service, room service, restaurant or pool that are far from a resort. We are looking into sponsors offset the costs and keep the entry fee low at Key West.
Again from someone who does not have a business or property in FL and who has spent many months during the last few years sailing in the Keys the wind conditions in Key Largo are pitiful compared to Key West. Key West in my opinion make for a far better event and money well spent.
Primary Resort Link www.casamarinakeywest.com
Secondary Resort if we need more rooms www.reachresort.com
Please reply to this post with your name, sail number and where you live so we can get an accurate head count of acutal HT owners. Let us know why you would like it to be on one area or another.
Thanks
Peter Cogan
We still intend to have Rick White run the races.
We have also got Square One a top end restaurant to provide dinner during the event and should have confirmation on a second restaurant in the next few days. Key West is a much better venue for the non sailing members of your party, with a lot more to do both during the day and at night.
Sailing conditions are far superior in Key West as well. The hotel is on the Southern tip of the island and has a beach and grass area. Sailing would be in the ocean where Key West race week and the Melges 24 Worlds were held with the option of a short sail to the bay side should the conditions dictate. This will ensure the best winds for the event. <br>
The only down side to Key West (I have spent several months in the Keys during the last few winters) is the extra distance but this is more than made up for by the resort and the better sailing conditions. <br>
Running it at Rick's is familiar to some but the accommodations in the at area are no where near the same standard. The wind at Rick's also leaves a lot to be desired. The A Cat North Americans were held there during the same time winds were light and very shifty with a lot of holes, the same can be said for the other events I have raced there. We have been looking at other venues for the North Americans due to the wind problem at Rick's. <br>
I do not feel that there should be any question as to where the better venue is the only question should be do we run it in Key West over a weekend (Fri-Sun) or during the week? If you are traveling from the North it is two days to get there and two home. In my opinion it is better to travel on the weekend and have 4 or 5 days of racing than to take off time from work and spend it driving, we have not looked into a rate for mid week at the resort but we can if it is what people want. The down side is more days of racing means more accommodation costs but the winter is long if you live up North. <br>
I am not going to say it will be cheaper to do this event in Key West but it will not be a lot more than running it in Key Largo. Remember you can find a lot of notell motels anywhere without maid service, room service, restaurant or pool that are far from a resort. We are looking into sponsors offset the costs and keep the entry fee low at Key West.
Again from someone who does not have a business or property in FL and who has spent many months during the last few years sailing in the Keys the wind conditions in Key Largo are pitiful compared to Key West. Key West in my opinion make for a far better event and money well spent.
Primary Resort Link www.casamarinakeywest.com
Secondary Resort if we need more rooms www.reachresort.com
Please reply to this post with your name, sail number and where you live so we can get an accurate head count of acutal HT owners. Let us know why you would like it to be on one area or another.
Thanks
Peter Cogan
