NORTH SAILS SUPPORT 2001 MELGES 24 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AS AN ASSOCIATE SPONSOR

The International Melges 24 Class Association and Premiere Racing Inc are delighted to announce that North Sails will be supporting the 2001 Melges 24 World Championship, to be held in association with Terra Nova Trading/Yachting Key West Race Week from 20-25 January 2002, as an Associate Sponsor.

North Sails is one of the longest standing commercial sponsors of the International Melges 24 Class, both in Europe and the USA and the IMCA is delighted to welcome them on board again this year. Their support will help ensure the success of the Championship which is set to break all attendance records for a US based Melges 24 event.

North Sails continue to lead the way in Melges 24 sail development and this World Championship will see the return of double World Champion, Vince Brun to the event. Vince is really looking forward to the Worlds and can be seen training in San Diego most weekends in preparation.

" North Sails both in Europe and the USA have been closely involved in the class since its introduction. Vince Brun has led the way in the States and I have been looking after the class in Europe. The Melges 24 is the best sports boat class in the World and we enjoy the challenge of making sails for such a thoroughbred boat. With both the USA and UK lofts producing sails for the class in large numbers we feel it's our duty to support the class whenever we can. With both Vince, myself and many other North Sails employee's at the 2001 Worlds you can be assured of great service. We look forward to seeing you there." Nigel Young, North Sails UK.

For further information about the 2001 Melges 24 World Championship please visit www.melges24.com or contact Fiona Brown, IMCA Press Officer, 3 Palmers Road, Emsworth, Hants, PO10 7DL, England, Tel +44 (0)7711 718470, E-mail FionaBrown@compuserve.com.

For further information about North Melges 24 sails please visit www.northsailsod.com for USA clients or www.northsails.co.uk for European clients.