Spectator tickets are now available to participate in the Second Annual Gosport Regatta to be held June 10 & 11 on the New Hampshire seacoast. The sailing race takes its name from the original 1874 Gosport Regatta at the Isles of Shoals. It is expected to draw hundreds of sailing enthusiasts and racing skippers to the Granite State from ports across New England. (Continued below)

Local residents and sailing enthusiasts are invited to take part in the 2011 race weekend festivities hosted by Star Island Corporation in partnership with the Piscataqua Sailing Association (PSA).

“Guests are invited to come aboard our Victorian steamship — the M/V Thomas Laighton — to watch the race unfold as our vessel motors to the Isles of Shoals,” said Rich Ryzman, Isles of Shoals Steamship Company marketing director. “Then, step ashore for the Star Island reception featuring live music at the historic Oceanic Hotel in Gosport Harbor. Celebrate into the evening with island music as the sun goes down.”

The weekend will begin with a reception for captains, sponsors and spectators Friday, June 10 at 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. under the tent at the Wentworth by the Sea Marina in New Castle.  Race day will kick-off at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 11 at the mouth of the Piscataqua River near Kitt's Rock buoy (2KR). Guests may purchase tickets in advance to board the official race day spectator boat. After the race, ticketed spectators and sailing crews are invited onto dry land for a catered reception and awards ceremony at Star Island. The Funky Divas of Gospel will perform live.

“Gosport Harbor will come alive again in June as a fleet of racing yachts from coastal New England vie for honors in the 2011 Gosport Regatta, the resurgence of the vintage sailing race at the Isles of Shoals first held in the late 19th century,” said Star Island CEO Victoria Hardy.  “The 2011 event promises to be biggest and best yet. We are especially pleased that the regatta has attracted nearly 20 sponsors and partners this year.  That’s a great show of support from the local business community.”

The original race was organized by John Poor, president of the Stickney & Poor Spice Trading Company, to celebrate the grand opening of Star Island’s Oceanic Hotel. More than 50 boats participated in the first race. The race was won by the famous yacht America in 1875 ─ the sailboat for which the America’s Cup is named.

A regatta weekend pass offering access to the opening reception and the race day spectator boat is now available for $80 per person. For tickets and information, go to the Web sites.

Sponsors for the 2011 Gosport Regatta include: Axis Computer Networks, Cantine Maschio; Coastal Home Magazine; Foster’s Daily Democrat; Horizon Beverage Company; Isles of Shoals Steamship Company; McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton; Merrill Lynch, Natura; Piscataqua Savings Bank; Pyrat Rums; Seascape Capital Management; Shipyard Brewing Company, Sir Speedy Printing; Stone Creek Realty, LLC; Taste Magazine; Waste Management, and Wentworth by the Sea Marina.

ABOUT PSA

The PSA serves the sailing community in the Seacoast by organizing a weekly schedule of races through the summer, plus special weekend regattas.  Its mission is to expand awareness of, education about, and participation in the exciting sport of sailboat racing.  Boat ownership is not a requirement for membership or participation and anyone interested in crewing on a boat is encouraged to join. For more information, visit PSA’s Web site.

ABOUT STAR ISLAND

Star Island Corporation was established as a non-profit corporation in 1916 to hold and administer Star Island and its historic properties for religious, educational, and kindred purposes.  From the late 1890’s until 1916 descendents of the Laighton and Thaxter families owned and operated the hotels on Appledore and Star visited by some of the most prominent artists and writers of their day including Childe Hassam and Nathaniel Hawthorne.  Some of the cottages on Star date back to the 1700s, the fishing village era of the Township of Gosport.  Open to the public from June to September, the island offers recreation interests for all ages including gift and book shops, a snack bar, the Rutledge Marine Lab, Vaughn Cottage and the Thaxter Museum. The island hosts more than 3,000 conference attendees and overnight guests and 7,000 day visitors throughout the summer. Guests enjoy a 19^th century experience with 21^st century amenities. All meals are served family-style in the Oceanic dining room. For more information, visit Star Island’s Web site or call the Portsmouth offices at (603) 430-6272