Spring Fever 2000 was the third year for this popular and fast-growing event. When it began back in 1998, we all wondered if anyone would come. Thanks to Nigel's organization and management, the regatta has exceeded expectations each year. Spring Fever 2000 was the best and biggest so far, with almost 100 boats registered. No one is worried now about whether anyone will come. This is Nigel's Field of Dreams. "Build it, and they will come."

 The planning for Spring Fever 2000 literally began when Spring Fever 1999 closed last year. Although Nigel manages and controls most of the activity personally, he relies on his close friends at Lake Hartwell to help him put it all together. Everyone is happy to pitch in, whether it's playing guitar at a pool side party, or running a chase boat and tending marker buoys.

We have been very fortunate to have the outstanding support of our sponsors.  Most have been with us since the regatta's inception in 1998 and this year we finally have the opportunity to post the URLs for their websites here. Please visit our sponsor's section to help us show our appreciation for their efforts and contributions.

 The regatta is a three-day racing event with appropriate scoring for those who cannot make the Friday races. Participants came from all parts of the United States, and Canada, as well. Some of them arrived at Lake Hartwell early in the week. The unofficial kickoff was a pool side cookout at Nigel's house on Thursday evening. There were two excellent cooks on duty and a large stack of hamburgers, but the crowd was huge and everyone was hungry. Nigel's management skills were called into play once again and no one left the party hungry. The "live" entertainment was an itinerant guitar player, who knew a lot of vintage country and western songs.

 Friday was the first official day of racing. It was windy and the lake was choppy. In other words, it was a great day to be on a Catamaran. We had our share of capsized boats, and the rescue boats were constantly on the move to make sure the sailors were OK. In a few cases, assistance was requested in righting a stubborn boat. By the end of the races, everyone was worn out, dragging, but ready to party. This time there was a real band, so the pool side guitar player could go back to his regular job of sweeping up and bussing tables. A van load of pizza was consumed.

 Saturday was another good day for racing. The officials moved out a little farther on "big water," and everything went pretty much according to plan. The results for all the races are posted elsewhere on this site. Everyone seemed to have enough energy left for the Saturday night party. This time the folks from Honey Baked Ham put on a feast for the hungry sailors. The band returned for the second night and a good time was had by all.

 Sunday was a day that takes all the skill a sailor can muster. How do you get your boat to move without wind? Jeff Price and his team on the committee boat did manage to get in one "Floater" while Means and his crew just couldn't locate enough wind to even start the Hobie 14s and the Woman's Hobie 16s. After finally giving up on the wind, we headed in for a super Honey Baked Ham lunch and the awards ceremony.

I almost forgot; while we were out on the water, the youngsters had a most welcome visit from the Easter Bunny who had stealthily hidden an abundant supply of Easter eggs for them to find.

 By Sunday evening, the multihull crowd had departed and Nigel had us all starting to think and plan for Spring Fever 2001. Bigger and better will continue, and we're looking forward to it already. We hope to see all of you here at our beautiful lake again next year.

Spring Fever 2001 - Catch it! (and bring a friend along)

The World's Finest Regatta by a Dam site!

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