Verve Offshore kicks off this weekend - Updated!

The 2010 Offshore Verve Cup Regatta kicks off this weekend at Chicago Yacht Club's Monroe Station. Registration and skipper's meeting will be held tomorrow and racing begins Friday, August 20th through Sunday, August 22nd. There are 160 boats on three racing circles off of downtown Chicago competing on windward/leeward courses , as well as 10 boats competing in a distance race on Saturday.

Our forecast for the weekend looks good. According to Matt Sanders, meterologist for Sailing Weather Services, the severe weather threat for Friday appears low as most of the activity remains well North and West of the city, although we could see some pop-up storms in the late afternoon with winds S/SE'ly in the low teens for the morning and increasingly gusty mid/upper teens for the afternoon. Sailing Weather Services will continue to provide weather briefings during the Regatta.

After a hard day of sailing, skippers and crew will enjoy good food, good drink and good music at the Chicago Yacht Club.

Check out the Verve Cup website for updates, photos, and video of all the excitement at www.vervecup.com.