The 2012 Lake Ontario 300 Challenge countdown is on!

by LO300 Media on 7 Jul 2012 The countdown is on and the final preparations are well on their way for this year's Lake Ontario 300 Challenge. Don't forget the entry deadline of July 11, 2012 it is only one week away and you won't want to miss out on this year's challenge. With the support of our new title sponsor, Ackroo and our new presenting sponsor The Conservatory Group we are going to ensure the quality of your experience onshore matches the high quality experience everyone will have on the water.

Our committee is working overtime making the final preparations for our participants, their guests and our sponsors. . As you are preparing for this year's race please remember to call or visit The Store, Masons Chandlery or The Rigging Shoppe to get your safety supplies and any items you will need for the race.

We have some excellent competition heating up in both the PRHF and IRC Divisions. Be sure to check out Yacht Scoring to see the latest scratch sheets. Competition will intensify as we come to the final week.

We look forward to seeing everyone at Port Credit Yacht Club and welcome the yachts making the journey from Lake Erie, Kingston, Rochester and other points around the lakes.

A reminder of what is included in this race that makes it The Greatest Yacht Race on the Lakes; aside from the excitement and the challenge of this race there are a number of features within this race that provide opportunity for everyone to walk home with something!

Come early to register and enjoy the party atmosphere that will be on the front lawn of Port Credit Yacht Club.

This year we will have a variety of displays and promotions taking place and will enhance the overall experience of this event with the following:

Pre Race Gathering sponsored by The Rigging Shoppe and The Store Mason's Chandlery
Mount Gay Hats for crew on competing yachts, (limited numbers per boat)
Sperry Top-Sider Crew Shirts for Crew- (we should have enough, but come early for best sizing)
Promotional items for crew in our classic crew bags
Skippers Shirts for all Skippers (1 per boat)
Free Sperry Top-Sider Pre-Race breakfast
Post Race beverages from True North
Post Race Party and Division Flag presentation on Tuesday night sponsored by Ackroo
Transponder on every yacht for live viewing of the race sponsored by Conservatory Group

Air Canada Finishing Draw
Once again Air Canada has provided the Lake Ontario 300 Challenge with a trip for two anywhere in North America, including the Bahamas. This great prize is drawn from a list of names of the skippers who complete the race. This is an amazing prize that has been established to add a little motivation just to complete this challenge. Special thanks to Air Canada for their continued generosity and support.

True North Hospitality Yacht
True North will be providing us with a fantastic yacht as one of our Spectator boats that will bring sponsors out to watch the beginning of this year's race.

True North Yacht Sales is also providing this fantastic Dufour 445 as a host boat, which will be docked on the wall in front of the club from the time they return from the start. A cold beer and food will be available there for the racers anytime after you arrive. Che DeCastro, VP of sales, has raced in the LO300 many times (actually will be racing this year too) and he knows what racers want after a long race. This is a great way to finish the race, especially when most of us, don't have any ice left on our boats.

LO300 Retail Program
Once again the Rigging Shoppe is ready with all the latest apparel for your crew. GILL will be the official supplier of the retail program, which has been streamlined to meet everyone's needs. Check out the line up and the ability to customize your apparel.

Orders can be placed in advanced and picked up on Friday or we have the ability to put your boat name on overnight Friday for a Saturday morning pick up.

Morten Fogh, President of Mason's Store Chandlery has done some exciting things to provide us with a great package. Check out the link on our website and get your orders placed in advance. Once again, Mason's will be onsite to provide for any of your last minute requirements and is more than willing to run back to the shop to get something you require, including Sperry Top-Siders.

Piper Heidsieck Champagne
Thank you, to Select Wines for their generous donation of this fine champagne for the line honour winners to celebrate with. We will have, on ice, 2 bottles of Piper Heidsieck for the line honour boats in the Main Duck PRHF, Main Duck IRC and the Scotch Bonnet Course. The only catch is you must come up, pop the champagne and enjoy your victory at the Mount Gay wall located in front of the True North Hospitality Boat.

Mount Gay Black
This year the official drink of the Lake Ontario 300 Challenge will be the Dark & Stormy to celebrate Mount Gay's new Black Rum which is due to be released this month.

Your first taste will be had on Friday Night at the Pre-Race Gathering where Mount Gay will be on site with a rum tasting. What a way to start the weekend!
Thanks Mount Gay.