…is right here in The Villages this week-end, as it is being hosted by our very own R/C Model Boat Club.  I don’t know if you have ever had the opportunity to watch the different model boat races, but the owner’s of the boats are as competitive as if they were racing in the The America’s Cup. There will be sailors from The Villages, but also they will be coming from all over the country, and will participate in more than 20 races.  The top five finishers will receive trophies.  It is a very prestigious race, as the boats are modeled after the 12 meter boats that sailed in The America’s Cup.  All the boats will be inspected prior to the race by the director of the American Model Yacht Association to make sure they meet the 12-meter standards. The commodore of The Villages R/C Model Boat Club said the boats are typically 46” long and minimum 16 pounds and the boats dimensions are measured and entered into a formula.  When the formula is solved it must be 12 meters or less to be legal. He went on to say that he and many of the others competing have sailed all their lives, and when retiring to The Villages were delighted to find they could continue their love of the sport.  He said all the principles are the same, the biggest difference being you are not on the boat, but they get the same feeling of competition and will use all the same rules that the big boats use.  You have to see the boats and the equipment needed to control them to appreciate their commitment to the sport, as it is very impressive. If you would like to see them they will be racing at the Ashland Pond on Lynnhaven Lane off Belvedere Blvd. 9:30 am to 3pm Saturday and 9am to 2pm Sunday.  It’s a beautiful day, grab your hat, sunglasses and chair and go off to the races, that is The Villages’ America’s Cup.