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185 sailboats race in downtown St. Pete for NOOD regatta

Posted at 6:07 PM, Feb 15, 2020
and last updated 2020-02-16 18:23:19-05

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Over 180 sailboats are taking part in a competition in downtown St. Petersburg that attracts sailboat enthusiasts from around the nation and the world.

The Helly Hansen National Offshore One Design (NOOD) Regatta Series is taking center stage at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club from February 14-16.

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The race is part of the largest sailboat racing circuit in the country.

The competition is one of the largest regattas in Florida. The overall winner will represent St. Pete and compete in the NOOD championship event in the British Virgin Islands this fall.

“What’s nice is the boats are spread across four race circles all across the bay. Sometimes when you look back it’s a wall of beautiful, colorful sails. This is the one where everyone comes in from out of town and they love sailing here because it’s a wide open space and we can fit a lot of boats,” said Dave Reed, who works with Sailing World Magazine.