St. Petersburg will once again be the center of the international sailing scene on Feb. 12-14 when 1,000 sailors in nearly 200 boats hit the waters of Tampa Bay for the start of the 2010 National Offshore One Design (NOOD) Regatta series.

The NOOD, as it is called in sailing circles, is the largest, most competitive racing circuit in North America. The first stop of a nine-event series, the NOOD typically features 16 different fleets in three days of solid racing.

The term "one-design" means that sailors will be racing identical boats in each class, so it is a true test of tactics and skill. The St. Petersburg event usually attracts its share of former and future Olympians. Sailing fans can catch the action from The Pier in downtown St. Petersburg.  

The overall winner of the St. Petersburg Regatta will be invited to participate in the NOOD Regatta Championships in the British Virgin Islands in November. After St. Petersburg, the tour moves on to San Diego, Annapolis, Seattle, Detroit, Chicago, San Francisco, Marblehead, Mass., and Larchmont, N.Y. For information, go to www.sailingworld.com.