Rendezvous in Ruedi July 15-19, 2020
A Memorable Experience.
The location is stunningly beautiful, surprising Aspen Yacht Club venue that seems almost surreal and a dynamic sailing experience to cherish. Do not miss it.
Venue.
Stunning and unique, a sailing experience like no other. Aspen Yacht Club (AYC) has their annual Open down to a science and this Regatta will surprise you. As you turn up the canyon at Basalt, your breath will be taken away by the red rock cliffs in a serene valley known for Gold Medal trout fishing on the Frying Pan River among cattle and horses grazing in their pastures.
Aspen is nowhere near Ruedi – 20 miles as the crow flies, but 38 miles by road. Basalt to AYC is 19 miles. AYC to Glenwood Springs is 43 miles. But everything within an hour provides day and nighttime options for crew, family and friends. Hot springs in Glenwood; check. Strolling in Aspen with the beautiful people, check. Enjoying quaint old town Basalt, check. Visiting Ringo Starr’s home on the Roaring Fork, check. Grab a beer at the saloon where Hunter Thompson used to hold court, check.
The Club and the Open.
AYC has been hosting the Open for more than 50 years and combines serious racing with unconstrained fun around the campfires and the Star Bar. It’s a long narrow race-course with every challenge that a deep mountain lake offers anywhere, with a little twist from the altitude and sheer canyon walls with not much opportunity to see what’s coming. Other keel boats classes typically on the line are J-22s, J-24s, Stars, mixed handicap. Other One-Design Nationals and district championships held here in the past include
Unforgettable and memories to be made.
AYC is remote and has its challenges, but perhaps these helpful hints below can ease the logistics concerns.
Housing.
OK, we admit that not all crews are up for the remote camping experience on the grounds at AYC. But there are options galore, but up and downstream from Meredith (2 miles above Ruedi) down to Basalt/Willets (18 miles downstream). Everything available from more upscale camping, to rustic cabins, moderate to luxurious homes with that distinguished Colorado mountain feel. All options are available on-line, so use your favorite booking site. Cabins, camping with services and larger RV hook-up just two miles upstream, for those of you who may want to camp but get some quality sleep away from the party atmosphere. Cabins and homes stretched downstream to Basalt where many hotels, lodges and B&Bs abound. Act Quickly. Summer bookings fill up fast at this time of the year.
Feeding the Crew.
Planning ahead and knowing the available resources will make the logistics easier. No matter what direction you are coming from on I-70 you will pass the Costco in Glenwood Springs as well as Safeway and City Market (upscale King Soopers/Krogers). Drop into the Walmart for those camping necessities you forgot. Once you hit the merge of the Roaring Fork and Frying Pan Rivers in Basalt/Willets you will have both City Market and, even, a Whole Foods and Natural Grocers along with the requisite Starbucks and Pot Shops (more of the latter than the former, of course – it’s Colorado after all) and many local groceries, farm to market stalls, bakeries, and such. Abundant restaurants in Basalt for that special crew meal before or after the Regatta. With a little planning, food is not an issue.
Fishing.
A few hours before or after racing to ease the stress of the Regatta? Good reason to grab a cabin with stream access. Incomparable. Gold Medal Steam that deserves the label. One Santana sailor counts it as his favorite in all of Colorado and brags of having “grand slammed it” (four different trout species in one day) one year in the morning hours before another National Championship regatta. Rumor has it that there are a few day passes on private water available to those who know who to suck up to.
Tune in next month for more details on Racing, Measurement, Boat Prep and more. We are expecting 20+ boats from at least four states. The excitement will keep building!
