Dates Set for 2009 Melges 24 World Championship in Annapolis

The International Melges 24 Class announced today that the dates for the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship, to be hosted by Eastport Yacht Club, Annapolis, Maryland are now set. The regatta will now take place from October 23 through October 31, a week earlier than originally scheduled.

With guidance from the International and United States Melges 24 Class Associations, and consistent feedback from the participants in the 2008 North American Championship (also held at EYC), it was a unanimous decision to change the schedule. "The earlier, more compressed regatta schedule will be optimal for both weather quality and logistics for travelling teams," said Event Chairman Elizabeth Merrifield Filter. "It’s ALL about the sailing. It’s going to be an intense week with eight straight days of high performance racing, which is what we’ve come to expect from the Melges fleet. Annapolis is an ideal venue for events like this. We look forward to serving up our famous Chesapeake Bay hospitality!"

Expected Schedule of Events:
Registration Open
Friday, October 23

Pre-Worlds Regatta
Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25

Championship
Monday, October 26 through Saturday, October 31

Haul Out
Sunday, November 1

The race course on the Chesapeake Bay near Annapolis will be in the vicinity of the entrance to the Severn River. Principle Race Officer Jeff Borland and his team will post the Notice of Race on the official website at www.melges24worlds2009.com. To compliment the racing, EYC will host land-side activities throughout the week, including daily informal post-race gatherings, a welcome reception, a gala World Championship party and final awards celebration.

The 2009 Melges 24 World Championship offers an excellent range of sponsorship opportunities ranging from $500-$50,000. The Melges 24 class offers an outstanding global media coverage track record, an on-site audience of well-connected individuals in key demographics from around the world and a flexible, experienced sponsorship team dedicated to meeting sponsors’ needs.

"It will be a busy time for our official apparel sponsor," said Sponsorship Director Melissa Currier. "Coral Reef Sailing Apparel in association with Gill, who will be in town for the Annapolis Boat Shows and then our Championship the next week, plus it’s U.S. Naval Academy Homecoming – a promotional trifecta for them."

Annapolis is a regular host to large events, but because of the number and size of events during this timeframe, competitors are encouraged to secure reservations for accommodations as soon as possible.