The Storm Trysail Foundation and Larchmont Yacht Club invite all J/105 owners to participate in the Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta (the “IOR”) to be sailed October 8-9 at Larchmont Yacht Club. This regatta gives college dinghy and big boat sailors a chance to enjoy the team work and fun of keelboat racing against teams from all over the US, Canada and some from Europe. The IOR is the largest US collegiate big boat regatta, and it continues to grow. The 2014 IOR had over 450 collegiate sailors and 50 boats; the 2015 regatta was cancelled due to an impending tropical storm. They typically have three one design classes (J/44s, J/109s and J/105s ) and two close-rating handicap classes. The J/105 is a perfect platform for dinghy sailors new to big boat racing, as well as experienced big boat racers. It is a perfect size for most teams, the sails are manageable, visibility is enhanced with the non-overlapping jibs, and the boats are evenly matched. In this event, the boat owner, who is the skipper of record, is part of the experience. The owner (or their representative) is not only the “safety officer,” but also a coach. Owners are encouraged to share their experience with the collegiate sailors in all aspects, except tactics. It is made clear to the students that if the owner feels that something unsafe could happen, he or she is free to take the helm or to give a command to change course. Many of the owners learn a thing or two from the students. The Storm Trysail Foundation does have a fund to take care of sail repairs and gear that gets lost or broken. The IOR is a totally free event for the boat owners and college sailors thanks to the Storm Trysail Foundation, the Larchmont Yacht Club and the event sponsors. There is a free dinner for the students on Friday and Saturday evenings and a legendary Storm Trysail Club cocktail party for the boat owners and coaches on Saturday evening. For those of you planning to sail in the J/105 North American Championship, you can moor your boats at Larchmont for the time between the IOR and that event. Please contact the IOR Chairman, Barry Gold, (a former J/105 owner) with any questions you may have (barrypgold@gmail.com) and visit the regatta website at: http://www.stormtrysailfoundation.org/intercollegiate.htm. The Storm Trysail Foundation is a charitable 501 (C)3 organization that accepts J/105 sail donations. They keep these sails so that owners without practice sails can use the donated sails during educational events like the IOR and Junior Safety At Sea Seminars.