The Columbia River Gorge offers some of the best small boat sailing in the World. For sailors the clean fresh water, warm summer temperatures and consistent winds are unmatched. Sailing World magazine once called the Columbia River Gorge one of the ten best places to sail in the World.

505
The 505 Class has been making a regular migration to the Gorge each summer for many years. 2008 will feature their biggest regatta in North America as a part of the Gorge Games, the 505 North American Championships. Many of the best sailors in the 505 Class will be in attendance, battling it out in a series of races to see who is top dog in the Gorge.

International 505
The International 505 is certainly a powerful boat that demands a great deal, physically and mentally, both from helm and crew but, in return, it provides a challenging, exhilarating, breathtaking performance and a balance of power and control that is unique. The 505 is a truly International Class, raced in a least eighteen countries. Leading helmsmen from other classes quickly find out how difficult it can be to rise to the top, most thrive on the challenge and persevere. At the top of the fleet, everyone is going fast, and the racing is very tactical.

"The 505 is really my favorite class because it is so lively and responsive in all types of wind and sea conditions. ...after having sailed all types of dinghy and all types of keelboat I would like to tell you that no other boat is able to give one so much pleasure as this one."

Paul Elvstrom
Expert Dinghy and Keelboat Racing
Four Time Olympic Gold Medal Winner and World Champion in multiple classes

Junior Sailng O'Pen BIC
 The purpose of this event is to showcase a new format for Youth Sailing in a fun, unorthodox, and loosely competitive style. Results are not nearly as important as everyone having a good time sailing. Don’t expect conventional round the buoys racing or normal 1-2-3 prizes. Capsizes and freestyle and fun will be required. If you are a hard-core racer with rule book in hand, this event may not be for you. If you want to just have fun and pioneer a new chapter in Youth Sailing….. game on!

Events: Slalom, Freestyle, and other fun events

PRIZES: Positions in the regatta will be recognized. The grand prize will be for the sailor, subjectively judged by the undistinguished panel of judges, who has the most fun at the regatta.

WARNING: Extreme levels of fun may be experienced during this event. Other craft may appear less exciting after experiencing the O’Pen BIC.

For more information, visit:
- O'Pen BIC
- EurO’pen Cup
- U.S. O’pen Cup
- O’Pen BIC fun

FAQs
Course Map

All participants will receive a Gorge Games technical tee shirt, athlete’s appreciation bag, athlete’s pass to Adventure Village , Athletes Village , all Gorge Games sporting venues and all Community events. Not to mention an experience you’ll always remember!

contact

Sport Directors:
 Andy Mack, Sailing
Phone : 206-619-2137
Andrea Ligammari, Sailing
Phone : 541-806-2370
Email : sailing@gorgegames.net

Calendar of events

There is no such thing as a typical 505 sailor. They are pre-teens to people in their 70s actively racing the 505; Current intercollegiate sailors to relaxed retired couples; people who have been sailing and racing for 50+ years, and those who are just learning how to sail and race; people racing 505s during their Olympic Trials campaign, to people who do only one or two regattas a year. There is no typical size for a 505 sailor, people under five foot tall up to seven feet tall, weighing under 100 pounds to weighing over 250 pounds.

505 North American Championships
 Date: Thursday through Sunday all day, July 17th – 20th
Location : Marine Park, Cascade Locks, OR
Equipment : International 505 Class Sailboat
Entrant qualifications : Open (see NOR)
Entry Fee : Estimated to be $250 per boat
Estimated # of participants : 30 – 40 boats, two people per boat
Prizes : 1st – 5th (open), other prizes TBD

Junior Sailng O'Pen BIC
 Location : Hood River Marina
Date : Saturday, July 19th 10:00am - 2:00pm
Entry Fee: $20

Eligibility: 9 – 12 years, 12 – up, must know how to swim and have taken a sailing lesson within the last year. Gorge Games sailing lessons qualifies. There will be a maximum number of 40 kids allowed to enter.

Come down to the Hood River waterfront and see the future rippers of sailing. The Columbia River can dish out challenging conditions, certain to stir up the fleet and bring the best out of all the young competitors. The new O’Pen Bic is designed to be a new generation of dinghy for kids, modern, fast, and fun for all.

Depending on the conditions the courses will vary.

Event Registration
The registration for this event will be through the Columbia Gorge Racing Association.



Sponsorship Policy
Gorge Games, LLC has strict a guideline athlete/sponsor policy. Please review the policy for further information.

Camping
For camping information, please contact us at athletesvillage@gorgegames.net.

Travel
To assist with your travel needs we’ve partnered with Cascade Travel --- a one stop shop for all of your travel needs. Cascade Travel has a complete inventory of rooms, bed and breakfast accommodations, motels, campgrounds and more. So, whether you’re an athlete, participant, spectator, volunteer, or partner of the Gorge Games -- Cascade Travel can assist your travel needs and no one has more accommodations available than Cascade Travel and that includes the national internet-based travel services.

Cascade Travel can assist with rental cars, campgrounds, wine tours, restaurant guides, recreational activities, or anything vacation-oriented.

Please contact:

Cascade Travel
409 Oak Street, Hood River , OR 97031
Toll Free: 1-800-426-4981
Local: 541-386-6800
Fax: 541-386-4899
Email: cindy@cascadetvl.com

This event is being powered by 100% renewable (wind) energy.