HONOLULU -- The University of Hawai`i sailing team kicks off its spring season this weekend hosting the Rainbow Invite, Jan. 19-20. Twelve different schools, including host UH, will descend on Keehi Lagoon for the annual regatta.

The regatta will feature a total of 19 teams competing in both the coed and women's divisions. Cal State Channel Islands, Oregon, Oregon State, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, UCLA, USC, Washington, Washington State and Western Washington will join two UH teams in the coed division. Hawai`i will also feature two teams in the women's division where they will compete against Oregon, UC Irvine, UCLA, USC and Western Washington.

UH, ranked 16th in the latest Sailing World poll, has nine sailors ready to compete in the coed regatta. Skippers for the `Bows are Andrew Meade, Mike Scott, Ryan Wild, William Petersen, and Peter Wenner. The top crews for UH are Pamela Magasinn , Darla Baldwin, Tiffany Wong and Jaclyn McLoughlin.

The women's regatta will have UH sailors Becky Mabardy, and Hannah Tuson-Turner.

The Rainbows look to continue their success off an impressive fall campaign. UH won two Pacific Coast Championships and earned two national championship appearances, at both the sloops and at singlehandeds.

Regatta Information
What: 2008 Rainbow Invite
Date: Saturday, Jan. 19 - Sunday, Jan. 20
Time: All day; first race begins at approximately 10:00 AM
Where: Honolulu Community College Marine Education Center - Keehi Lagoon.
Field: USC, Western Washington, Oregon, Oregon State, Cal State Channel Islands, Washington State, Washington, USC, UC Santa Barbara, UCLA, California, UC Irvine, Hawai`i

-UH-