David Chivers & Fiona Brown report after their site visit to Marstrand - The Marstrands Segelsllskap and Swedish Melges 24 Class are well ahead in their planning for the 2004 Worlds which take place from 9-13 August with registration from 6 August.
The scene was set for 14 Melges 24s at the second US ranking event of the year, in Annapolis poised for it's largest NOOD regatta ever. Sailing on the open water near Thomas point meant less Annapolis port traffic to deal with and, certainly kept us out of the way of the 80 J22's.
The official 2004 North American Championship Web site is up and running. Preparations are now underway for one of the hottest regattas to hit the Midwest region.
There are only a few weeks to go to the Torbole Melges Week Regatta, which takes place from 6-9 May on stunning Lake Guarda, Italy. This is the second event in the European Ranking Series and already a host of top boats are planning to attend.
The Marstrand Worlds organisers are still hard at work locating all the available accommodation in the Marstrand area for the World Championship. They have reserved 80 rooms (160 beds) at the Lokeberg Konference Hotel which is just 10 minutes drive from Marstrand.
From Christal Durand - Last racing day at the SNIM 2004. Why do regattas have to end, anyway? Why not keep the very cheerful atmosphere of the first day, when every crew is preparing their boat, is happy to meet the others again, and everything seems to be possible for everybody.
From Christal Durand - The third day of racing at the SNIM took place under the still shining sun of the Provence capital. One surprise - the Mistral left!
From Christel Durand - Walk down the famous Canebire Avenue, walk along the port on the left side, your eyes blinking in the shining Eastern sun of Provence Just after the very typical Marseilles Ferry Boat and before the floating HQ of the Socit Nautique, a strange crowd of sailors in red, yellow,
