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HAMPTON — As the year commences, sailors from Tri-Cities Tennessee, Western North Carolina, and Western Virginia are gearing up for the exhilarating first race of the season. The Watauga Lake Sailing Club (WLSC) is primed to host its prestigious 23rd Annual Frostbite Sailboat Race on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, at Lakeshore Marina Sailboat Dock on Watauga Lake, Hampton.
With registration beginning at 12:15 p.m. and the race set to start promptly at 1 p.m., the event promises the participation of 6-12 boat captains and their seasoned crews. Since its inception in 2001, this annual race has witnessed sailors navigating through a diverse array of conditions, ranging from sunny 50-degree weather to challenging snowstorms.
WLSC, a private club open to membership, has remained a stalwart in promoting the passion for sailing, sailboats, and maritime traditions on Watauga Lake for nearly 44 years. While the club’s official racing calendar resumes in April, the Frostbite Race holds a special place as the annual kickoff event, drawing over 80 sail club members from across the region.
The public is encouraged to witness the race spectacle from vantage points like Watauga Point State Recreation Area or other nearby viewing areas near Lakeshore Marina.
To facilitate media coverage, accommodations will be provided aboard a powered pontoon boat, courtesy of Lakeshore Marina, offering optimal viewing of the race’s start and other key race elements.