2011 Melges 24 World Championship - Sponsors Step Up To Support Event - Entry Closes 22 April
19 April 2011 - Corpus Christi, TX, USA - For every major sailing regatta today sponsorship is a necessity and the 2011 Melges 24 World Championship, to be hosted by Corpus Christi Yacht Club, Texas, from 11-21 May, is no exception. To find out more about what goes on behind the sponsorship scenes we spoke to 2011 Melges 24 World Championship Regatta Chair Teri Ficken who fills us in on the efforts she and her team have been making to ensure the event has the financial support it needs.
Whoever said the local businesses don't step up to the plate when it comes to sailing events didn't live in Corpus Christi, Texas. Due to the lagging economy and the lack of funding out there, we did what we've always done when it comes to sponsorship, we turned to our neighbors and friends and boy did they come through. Twelve of the, so far, 23 sponsors for the 2011 Melges 24 Worlds are local or regional businesses.
Corpus Christi Electric, formed in 1931, is the oldest electrical supplies distributor in Corpus Christi. It is a privately owned company, whose owners happen to be CCYC members and love to participate in our regattas. While they can't always donate their time, they are ever so generous with their money. This year they've donated over 400' of aluminum conduit for us to redo our RC flags, and for the Worlds they are covering the cost of the crane rentals for the launching and weighing of the boats.
OGI is another locally owned company, also another CCYC member, which does mapping for oil & gas/pipeline, real estate, utilities, right of way, etc. Not exactly sailing oriented, but the owner is an avid boater who likes to stay involved with Yacht Club activities and is covering the cost of the Official Regatta Brochure.
The Corpus Christi/Upper Padre Island Convention & Visitor's Bureau and the CC Downtown Management District have both jumped on board as active sponsors, as has the Corpus Christi Marina and the City of Corpus Christi. Rugged Cycles is offering an off site boat storage area, both indoor and outdoor space is available. Valls Group and Ainsworth Trucking have both come on board to aid in shipping logistics where feasible. The Yachting Center at Harrison's Landing located on People's St. T-head will be providing water taxi service for the mid-week party at the Texas St. Aquarium, which Water Street Seafood Company is catering.
Whataburger, a locally owned hamburger franchise since 1950, is sponsoring After Racing one night, as is one of our own, Greg Turman, who's also the Chief Equipment Inspector (a man of many talents).
Our biggest home grown sponsor of all is the State of Texas who qualified us for monies from the Texas Tourism Grant Fund.
So, you can see that a lot of our backing is coming from local sources that are eager to see this event succeed.
However, in addition, we have some wonderful national sponsors such as North Sails One Design to thank for the bow numbers and Velocitek for hosting a Speed Challenge on Friday and also the Friday night After Racing Social. HARKEN donated all the document bags for the Skipper's and Judges, and Weather Routing, Inc. is providing weather forecasting for the event. And we can't forget Pusser's Rum "The Official Rum of the 2011 Melges 24 Worlds" whose presence will be felt, both literally & figuratively, throughout the week.
Sail 22 is bringing their trailer down and is also hosting a tune-up Regatta, April 30 - May 1st. Andy Burdick with Melges USA is also bringing their trailer down. Dave Whelan, Gulf Coast Composite in Houston, is bringing his van down in case we have any mishaps that should require his services. This is one sponsor that would prefer his services not be needed (fiberglass). However, we would have been in trouble at our last Worlds event when two boats collided on the course had Dave not been in attendance.
Special thanks go out to USSailing/Regatta Network for managing our web site and to Ken Taylor in particular for putting up with the Regatta Chair. Another special mention goes to our long time merchandise partner, Coral Reef Sailing Apparel. Having them on board is just tremendous as it takes that whole element of merchandising off of our plates. Everyone is encouraged to go to our web site and order their Official Regatta Merchandise. You don't need to be a participant to have some official Regatta gear.
And last but certainly not least, we have OMNI Hotels who've given us some great rates at the OMNI Marina Hotel for the event and it's only 4 blocks from CCYC; and SEATOW who's providing a fuel truck for the refueling of the RC and support boats.
So as you can see, we have a real mixture of sponsors. Some directly related to sailing or boating, and some who just like to be involved in fun community events. Thanks to all these people, and many more local in-kind sponsors, we are planning one kick ass event. The 2011 Melges 24 Worldsis an event you don't want to miss, because believe me you'll be regretting it for years to come if you do.
Teri Ficken
2011 Melges 24 World Championship Regatta Chair
The final closing date for all entries is Friday 22 April and Corinthian competitors are reminded that they must submit their full crew lists with all ISAF IDs, classifications and expiry dates prior to 22 April absolute latest. The Notice of Race and Online Entry together with a list of current entrants are available at the event web site.
On site registration for the event will open on Wednesday May 11 and continue until Sunday May 15. There will be Pre-Worlds racing on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 May. Championship Racing gets underway on Monday 16 May with the first warning signal scheduled for 11.00 and racing continues until Saturday 21 May with no warning signal permitted after 14.30 that day. Haul-out will be completed on Sunday 22 May.
You can keep up with all the latest news and developments from the 2011 Melges 24 World Championship and the Road To Corpus Christi events via the Road To Corpus Facebook Page, theEvent Web Site and www.melges24.com and www.usmelges24.com.
The 2011 Melges 24 World Championship is sponsored by:-
Corpus Christi Electric Company
Corpus Christi Downtown Management District
Harrison's Landing Yachting Centre
Corpus Christi, Padre & Mustang Islands Convention & Visitors Bureau
Visit the Official Event Website of the 2011 Melges 24 World Championship
The Melges 24 is designed by Reichel Pugh and considered the most unique one design sportsboat in the world as well as one of the fastest-growing classes of high performance yachts. For more information please visit the official websites of the International Melges 24 Class Association and theUnited States Melges 24 Class Association.
Fiona Brown
International Melges 24 Class Administrator & Media Coordinator
fiona.brown@melges24.com
Skype fpbrown
Tel +44 (0)7711 718470
Justin Chisholm
Teri Ficken
Regatta Coordinator - Corpus Christi Yacht Club
ficken78374@aol.com
Skype teri.ficken
Tel +1 361 534 9019
Joy Dunigan
USMCA Executive Secretary & Communication Director
communications@usmelges24.com
Skpye joysavannah
Tel +1 912 756 6706