2010 Melges 24 World Championship NOR & Online Entry Now Live!

Tallinn, Estonia - 17 February 2010 - The International Melges 24 Class is pleased to announce that the Notice of Race and Online Entry for the 2010 Melges 24 World Championship, to be hosted by the Kalev Yacht Club, Tallinn, Estonia in association with the Finnish & Estonian Melges 24 Class from 4-12 August 2010, are now available from the Event Website.

The Finnish & Estonian Melges 24 Class has gone from strength to strength in recent years and now boasts one of the strongest and most competitive national Melges 24 fleets anywhere in the World.  Founded in 1947 the Kalev Yacht Club is Estonia's oldest and most highly regarded yacht club and has outstanding experience in running major regattas.  The club is based in the Pirita Olympic Harbour, which was purpose built for the 1980 Moscow Olympics and offers outstanding regatta facilities. 

The harbour is located just 5km from Tallinn, the historic capital city of Estonia, with its numerous pubs, clubs and restaurants, outstanding shopping facilities and historic centre, which dates back to the 13th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

"We are thrilled to be taking the Melges 24 World Championship to the former Eastern Block for the first time." commented International Melges 24 Class Chairman Günter Tzeschlock.  "Tallinn is one of the Baltic's most beautiful and historic sailing venues and with the advantages of the purpose built Olympic marina and great sailing waters plus a fascinating city and sandy beaches right on the doorstep we're all set for a fantastic regatta.  Despite the global economic problems we achieved a record entry at our 2009 European Championship and we're expecting a record entry for this event too thanks to the enthusiasm and dedication of our sailors and the outstanding organisational skills of the Kalev Yacht Club and the Finnish and Estonian Melges 24 Class."

Immediately prior to the World Championship teams are invited to take part in the Estonian Open Melges 24 Championship, which will also be hosted by the Kalev Yacht Club from 30 July to 1 August (registration Friday 30 July, racing Saturday 31 July and Sunday 1 August).  Racing will be run by the Worlds Race Committee, headed by PRO Lars Nyqvist, on the championship race area in the Bay of Tallinn making it the perfect warm up opportunity.

Registration for the 2010 Melges 24 World Championship will open on Wednesday 4 August, there will be tune up racing on Thursday 5 and Friday 6 August and Championship racing will take place from Saturday 7 to Thursday 12 August with 12 races scheduled.  The event will also feature a fun social programme where the Estonian hosts will demonstrate their legendary hospitality and love of a good party!

The 2010 Melges 24 World Championship offers an excellent range of sponsorship opportunities ranging from official suppliers through to title sponsorship.  The Melges 24 Class brings an outstanding global media coverage track record, an onsite audience of well connected and wealthy individuals from around the globe and a flexible and experienced sponsorship management team dedicated to meeting sponsors needs.  To find out more about the sponsorship opportunities available please contact Tomi Hakola, tomi.hakola@nelonenmedia.fi, Tel +358 40 535 2020 Skype tomihakola, Tel +358 40 535 2020.

Competitors are reminded that it is important to make accommodation reservations early.  The organisers have reached a special agreement with the Pirita TOP Spa Hotel at the Pirita Olympic Harbour which offers 267 rooms just 200m from the championship marina.  To take advantage of the special accommodation rates being offered for the regatta competitors should register via the Event Website.  There is a wide range of alternative accommodation also available near the marina and in Tallinn city centre and further details of other accommodation options can also be found on the Event Website.

Members of the press who would like to receive further information about the 2010 Melges 24 World Championship or who wish to attend the event should contact IM24CA Administrator & Media Coordinator Fiona Brown, fiona.brown@melges24.com, Skype fpbrown or Tel +44 (0)7711 718470.