2001 MELGES 24 WORLDS WRAP-UP

Now everyone has had time to recover from all the excitement there are few special thank-yous that we need to make following the 2001 World Championship.

Firstly our thanks to Premiere-Racing Inc who stepped forward when the Lauderdale Yacht Club were forced to withdraw in the aftermath of the 11 September tragedy and offered to host the 2001 Melges 24 Worlds in association with Terra Nova Trading/Yachting Key West Race Week 2002. The entire Premiere team put in a great deal of extra work to ensure the success of the event and their unfailing good humour and enthusiasm played a vital part in the regatta’s success.

Thanks also to event sponsors Woody’s Ice, who provided the Melges 24 Fleet HQ facilities and sponsored the opening party; LightSurf Technologies who helped sponsor the additional jury boats; Geneva Trading and the USMCA who sponsored the final night beach party; North Sails and Melges Performance Sailboats who both took Associate Sponsor packages; and the private individuals who made donations and loaned equipment but who have asked to remain anonymous.

As well as those who helped with sponsorship dozens of class members put in hundreds of hours organising charter boats, helping people find accommodation, dealing with technical issues, measuring boats and sails, driving press boats, encouraging people to attend and generally ensuring that all the bases were covered.

Finally a big thank you to all the competitors who made the commitment to race despite the current political and financial uncertainties. With 77 teams representing 10 nations and 3 continents it truly was a World Championship to be proud of. Furthest travelled were Kunio Suzuki and Team Siesta who travelled all the way from Japan to take place in their first Melges 24 World Championship. The biggest overseas contingent came from the UK with 10 boats whilst those who racked up the most road miles to take part were the Canadian. US West Coast and Mid West crews.

At one point there wasn’t going to be a 2001 World Championship, but the fantastic enthusiasm and determined effort of all involved ensured that not only did the regatta take place but that it attracted the biggest overall turnout and largest number of overseas entrants ever seen in the US.

The German Class looks forward to welcoming everyone to the 2002 World Championship in Travemuende at the end of July, while the Europeans will be back to give the Americans another run for their money in San Francisco in October 2003.

Finally the class will be in Key West again in January 2003 – world championship or no world championship it is one of the best sailing and party venues on the planet so book your holiday now and be there!