20 boats turned out for the first Western Carolina Sailing Club Mid-Winter Regatta on Lake Hartwell

The contest was planned in relation to a magazine article that is to be published regarding women who sail. But event coordinator Johanna Curtis said she is hoping to make the regatta an annual occurrence. “We have no racing January through March, but hopefully we can institute a few races in the winter,” The contest Saturday required each boat to have at least on female crew member onboard, and some boats sailed with crews consisting only of women.

The Anderson Western Carolina Sailing Club conducted its first female-centered event last September, Diva Day, which is becoming an annual event. Members also organize a regatta each year to raise money for Hospice of the Upstate.

The article that led to the scheduling of the Mid-Winter Regatta is to appear in the spring in Upstate Lake Living magazine, Curtis said.