As Star Island prepares for the Gosport Regatta and other exciting programs for the 2013 season, the non-profit announces a deadline extension for all discounts.

Families new to Star Island are encouraged to register by June 1, 2013 to qualify for Star’s new family discount. This offer can save families over $1,000 by setting a maximum for room and board bills during specific summer programs.

Originally set to expire on May 15, Star Island extends the discount deadline so more people can take advantage of the 2013 offers. Beyond new families, former staff members are also encouraged to register by June 1, 2013 to receive a 50% room and board discount.

“We are thrilled people are taking advantage of these significant savings for 2013,” Joe Watts, Star Island CEO said. “We hope even more families and local friends can use our offers for 2013 and visit this summer.”

For more information about all of the 2013 discounts visit StarIsland.org/Discounts.

Star Island is New England’s most unique summer island offering programs built upon traditions started over a century ago. As a vibrant summer destination, Star Island creates a community and family camp that frees all who come to explore matters of consequence and gain knowledge about the world as it might ideally be. Located approximately 10 miles off the coast of New Hampshire, Star Island is part of the National Register of Historic Places. More information about Star Island’s programs, significant 2013 discounts and financial aid can be found at StarIsland.org.

Spectators are welcome to set sail on the morning of Saturday, June 8 aboard the M/V Thomas Laighton to view the fourth annual Gosport Regatta.

Organized by Star Island and the Piscataqua Sailing Association, this historic open ocean race allows spectators to sail along with the race from thePiscataquaRiverto the finish line in GosportHarbor and dock at StarIsland. Once ashore, guests can delight in live entertainment, beverages and barbeque.

Voice of the Race and PSA member Mike Thiel previews his narration of the Gosport Regatta:  “For your understanding of the action out on the waters between Portsmouth and the Isles of Shoals, and hopefully for later in the year as you watch the America’s Cup, I’ve tried to simplify an explanation of what’s involved in sailboat racing to its most basic elements.”

Sailboats competing in the Gosport Regatta will be different in size, design, and number and size of sails. All boats in the race are handicapped in their race class and in this race by cruising, racing, or J24.  The J24 is one of the most popular racing boats in the world with about 7,000 built and many actively racing in fleets around the world.

Race courses are either windward/leeward, straight into the wind and then downwind, or triangular.  The third course option is some combination of the two, with marks designating the turning points. A great race tests a crew’s ability and boat to deal with different conditions, sailing or tacking to weather, rounding marks and dousing sails and setting new ones and running downwind. Sometimes races can be several times around the same marks. The first leg of a race is usually to windward.

The Gosport Regatta is traditionally run over a relatively long course, around 10 miles using U.S. Government navigation buoys as marks. The course is set on the day of the race, depending on the wind conditions that day.  A fast boat does not guarantee victory; strategy, boat-to-boat tactics, and team work are equally important.  In a hard-fought one-design race, and in pursuit races that are well handicapped, the finish can also be very exciting, with boats trying to nose out their competitors. Sometimes, even with a race several miles long, the difference between first and second place is just a matter of inches. 

No regatta would be complete without the celebration and party after. Enjoy the action both on the water and ashore. Register online to attend the Gosport Regatta at StarIsland.org/Regatta where you will find tickets for Race Day and the overnight. 

StarIslandisNew England’s most unique summer island home to a racing tradition started in 1874. Located approximately 10 miles off the coast ofNew Hampshire,StarIslandis part of the National Register of Historic Places. More information about StarIsland and the Gosport Regatta may be found at StarIsland.org.

Dear Shoaler,

The fourth annual Gosport Regatta combines the best of an historic open ocean race with delicious food served in a unique setting on Saturday, June 8.

Guests board the M/V Thomas Laighton at 9:30 a.m. and follow the event from the mouth of the Piscataqua River to the finish line in Gosport Harbor.

After arriving at Star Island, guests will view incoming vessels from the Oceanic Hotel’s expansive front porch. Racing crews will be cheered up the front lawn after coming ashore.

Star Island Food Service Manager John Bynum is set to cook up a pleasing barbeque for the race day awards reception. Guests will enjoy hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, vegetarian options, and the standard barbeque accompaniments plus Bynum’s own potato salad. No New England sail racing event would be complete without chowder served from steaming pots on the front porch as spectators and racers arrive. The food is only half the fun as guests will dance to the live music of the Funky Divas. Beverage service during the race day will include a selection from Sam Adams and wines from the Peter Paul Winery.

The Sunday brunch menu will be served in the historic Oceanic Hotel dining room the morning after the Gosport Regatta featuring a selection of baked breakfast pastries, a smoked salmon platter, mixed spring green salad, white bean salad, scrambled eggs, home fries, sausage, roast turkey, wild rice pilaf, roasted vegetable medley, and an assortment of baked desserts prepared in Star Island’s own bakery. Brunch entertainment will feature Constellation, the acoustic music duet of Eric Thomas and Helen Wolfson from North Carolina.

Online registration is now open for anyone wanting to attend or race in the Gosport Regatta at StarIsland.org/Regatta.

Star Island is New England’s most unique summer island home to a racing tradition started in 1874. Located approximately 10 miles off the coast of New Hampshire, Star Island is part of the National Register of Historic Places. More information about Star Island and the Gosport Regatta may be found at StarIsland.org.

Support Star Island by going out to dinner on Tuesday May 7 and 14 at Robert’s Maine Grill in Kittery, ME.

And we’d like you to come along with your friends! Share the flyer below with people you know and tell us you’re coming to dinner on our Facebook event pages for Tuesday, May 7 and Tuesday, May 14. But don’t forget to make reservation’s with Robert’s directly!

Robert’s Maine Grill, in Kittery, Maine, will host a “Community Supper” on May 7th & 14 to help support Star Island.

Star Island’s vision is to create on Star Island an environment that frees all who come to explore matters of consequence, and gain knowledge about the world as it might ideally be.

Every Tuesday & Wednesday night Robert’s Maine Grill, Route 1, in Kittery offers a “Community Supper” starting at 4PM. The main focus of the supper is a $14, 3 course menu – a mid-week “recession buster” offering. The menus are in the spirit of Robert’s style: Maine Comfort Food with an updated twist. Robert’s regular dinner menu is also available. To add to the community spirit of it, each Tuesday & Wednesday Robert’s donates a portion of proceeds from the evening to a local non-profit. Upcoming Community Supper menus are posted at www.robertsmainegrill.com.

The Community Suppers that will benefit Star Island will take place May 7th & 14. Reservations are recommended.

The fourth annual Gosport Regatta sets sail on Saturday, June 8. Organized by Star Island and the Piscataqua Sailing Association, this premier seacoast event allows spectators to experience the excitement of open ocean racing with a fleet of 40 sailboats in the racing, cruising and J-24 classes.

“We are thrilled that this event continues and grows stronger each year,” said Joe Watts, Star Island CEO. “Star Island is the perfect location for end-of-race festivities and an opportunity to bring guests, crews, skippers, and sponsors together in the historic dining room of the Oceanic Hotel.”

Originally held in 1874 and revived in 2010, the Gosport Regatta features live entertainment by some of the region’s finest musicians. The race weekend kicks off on the night of Friday, June 7 with a reception for sponsors and skippers. Performing at the reception are local musicians Jim White and Dave Brown as the Brown and White Band. Their music is an eclectic mix of R&B, blues, rock, standards, and jazz.

The Funky Divas return on Saturday, June 8 to perform for the Regatta race day. The non-stop style of the Funky Divas gets people up and rocking with an R&B/gospel style.

Sunday brunch will feature Constellation, the acoustic music duet of Eric Thomas and Helen Wolfson from North Carolina. Wolfson plays the hammered dulcimer with Thomas accompanying on guitar. From the blues on the hammered dulcimer through high-energy instrumentals to string-bending guitar leads played against folk and Celtic standards, Constellation covers a lot of ground.

Visit StarIsland.org/Regatta to register and for more information about the Gosport Regatta. Spectators staying for the overnight will experience all race day events and the next day’s brunch.

Spectators will board the M/V Thomas Laighton departing out of Portsmouth and head out to the mouth of the Piscataqua River to start the race. While viewing the race, the Laighton will make its way to Star Island and dock for an afternoon bbq.

Star Island is New England’s most unique summer island home to a racing tradition started in 1874. Located approximately 10 miles off the coast of New Hampshire, Star Island is part of the National Register of Historic Places. More information about Star Island and the Gosport Regatta may be found at StarIsland.org.