This non-spinnaker, pursuit-style race will begin at noon with several Pearson-designed Tritons leading a 50-boat fleet off the line. the Farr 395 Kahuna, skippered by Alexia Hawkins, is the fastest entry and thus will be last off the line in the reverse handicap starting order.

CRAB executive director Don Backe has organized teams comprised largely of sailors with disabilities to race four of the organization's Freedom 20 sloops. Dick Franyo, owner of the Boatyard Bar & Grill and a huge supporter of sailing in Annapolis, will race his Alerion Express 28 named Juice.

Franyo, in an attempt to win his own regatta, has recruited an all-star crew featuring SpinSheet editor David Gendell and Emirates Team New Zealand tactician Terry Hutchinson.

"Dave is driving, Terry is calling tactics and I'm serving a gourmet lunch," Franyo said.

Host Eastport Yacht Club will host a post-race party (4-8 p.m.) featuring live music from Misspent Youth, tasty food provided by the Boatyard as well as plenty of Mount Gay Rum and Heineken beer.

This new regatta is taking the date on the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association calendar previously occupied by the popular Bacardi Cup. Franyo is hopeful the event will grow in annual staple of the Chesapeake Bay racing scene.

"I'm very pleased with how things have come together this year and I am looking forward to seeing the regatta grow," Franyo said.

Junior Sailors Shine

A pair of Annapolis Yacht Club junior sailors turned in terrific performances at major dinghy events in the northeast.

Bo McClatchy continued a strong summer by placing first in a 51-boat Laser Radial fleet at the Hyannis Yacht Club Regatta. McClatchy posted a pair of bullets and two other top three finishes in the seven-race series to beat Ted Green of Wickford, R.I., by a point.

Last weekend, Harry Scott placed third in 420 class at the Buzzard's Bay Regatta. Scott won Race 2 and counted all single-digit finishes in the 11-race series. He also had a pair of seconds and thirds in scoring 42 points.

Meanwhile, Annapolis resident Alex Jacob put forth a phenomenal performance to place eighth in a massive 281-boat fleet at the United States Optimist Dinghy Association National Championship, held on Lake Minnetonka, Minn. Jacob finished fifth or better in three of the five races held.

Snipe Worlds

Several local sailors are headed to the Snipe World Championships, being held Sept. 8-15 in Matasinhos, Portugal. Teams had to qualify by placing high at various class championships.

Annapolis resident Brian Bissell, a professional with North Sails-Chesapeake, will helm an entry with Danny Pletsch as crew. Class veteran Henry Filter, a Stevensville resident, returns to worlds with Gus Wirth as crew. Finally, Annapolis resident Kim Couranz will crew for Jim Bowers of Boston.

Fitness Tip

Sailors involved in racing, whether aboard big boats or dinghies, should focus on a process in the health and fitness world known as periodization.

Periodization is a process of varying a training program at regular time intervals to bring about optimal gains in physical performance. Some proven benefits are improved muscular endurance, strength, power, motor performance and muscle hypertrophy.

By using periodization, a competitive athlete is able to reach peak physical performance at a particular time - such as for a major regatta. For details, visit annapolissailingfitness.com.

Racing Calendar

Aug. 10 - Race to Oxford, Tred Avon Yacht Club/Chesapeake Bay Yacht Club (PHRF)

Aug. 11 - Robert K. Robson Memorial Round-the-Buoys Race, Tred Avon Yacht Club/Chesapeake Bay Yacht Club (PHRF)

Aug. 11 - Boatyard Bar & Grill Regatta to benefit CRAB, Eastport Yacht Club (pursuit style race with starts in reverse order of handicap)

Aug. 11-12 - J/22 Mid-Atlantic Championship, Severn Sailing Association

Aug. 12 - Chesapeake 20 Fall Series, West River Sailing Club