Registration is now completed and the fifty six Melges 24 crews are set to commence battle for the 2003 Jacob's Creek Melges 24 European Champion title tomorrow morning.
As you may be aware the problem of supply of Melges 24 masts has been the subject of some discussion in recent months. At present the IMCA World Council is still awaiting clarification from the builders of the exact position regarding availability of masts from the existing manufacturer.
A great weekend of racing for a 14 boat fleet in Helsinki saw Kenneth Thelen's Team Suunto win the Finnish Championship title for a record fourth time.The margin to the second place boat was again the lowest possible, 1 point.
Please note that your Europeans entry is NOT VALID for the Finnish Championships. This Championship race is a separate European ranking event one week before the Europeans. Race dates will be from Friday the 25th to Sunday the 27th of July.
From IMCA Technical Advisor David Chivers - At a recent Class regatta we had the opportunity to check the results list with the National Authority to see if all the boats had valid certificates. Sad to say that several boats had either no certificate or one in the wrong name.
From Gunter Tzeschlock. After 6 races on course Bravo at Kiel bay the Finnish Team SUUNTO FIN 236 skippered by Kenneth Thelen are the winners of the German Open 2003. 17 boats checked in and for the first time we could welcome a Melges24 team of Ukraine on German Waters.
From Egidio Babbi - Hi everybody. What do you think about 9 or more races in a beautiful sailing area, full of sunshine, with deep and blue sea and regular wind 3-4bft from w-sw?
From Tomi Hakola in Finland - Those boats/teams that havent done their entry to the Europeans you have only a few hours to avoid the 30% late entry fee! If you know some boat/team that is coming but isnt on our entry list - please make them a reminder call.
All those boats that have been planning on coming to the Europeans - you have only 9 days left to make your entry! This time it couldnt be easier - just click into our Europeans web site, www.melges.org/europeans2003, and make your entry via internet. No paper work, posting etc.
From 21. to 24. June the German Class Association will sail the German Open at Kiel during the famous Kiel Week. Only a small fleet of maximum 20 boats will make its way to Kiel - so the last chance for the Melges24 to be fully integrated in Kiel Week in the next years is gone.
