Dave Ullman to Host Melges 24 Clinic at Newport Regatta, July 11-13th

From the USMCA - The Melges 24 Newport Regatta, July 11-13, hosted by Sail Newport and held in Newport, R.I. will officially mark the mid-point in the International Melges 24 Class' 2008 North American Ranking Series. Adding to this already prestigious event, 2007 Melges 24 World Champion Dave Ullman will deliver an exclusive appearance, as he will conduct a training clinic for the Melges 24 fleet.

This is one of the most exciting regattas in Newport during the summer months and sponsored by Coastal Living Magazine. The warm hospitality of the Sail Newport staff and facilities combined with the camaraderie of the fleet ultimately makes for an extraordinary event. This is an opportunity of a lifetime. Dave's dedication, experience, knowledge and love for sailing the Melges 24 is something to experience.

The clinic will start at noon on Thursday, July 10th and offer a very focused approach to each teams performance. Plan on spending some time dockside with Dave looking at boat set-up and simply talking about the basics. This will be followed by three hours of short course racing and on-the-water coaching to participants from Ullman himself.

Three days of incredible racing starts on Friday, July 11th with registration and check-in until 11:00. The first gun is at 13:00. Racing continues on Saturday, July 12th followed by an evening party. Sunday, July 13th will conclude the regatta followed by a first-class awards ceremony.

This is the 24th year for the Newport Regatta and one of America's greatest cities. It is not only a perfect venue for sailing, it's a popular family vacation destination too. Enjoy not only the beauty of this historic town, but also great dining, shopping and museums. Bring the boat, the crew and the family. There is something here for everyone!

And, for those of you looking to train and condition, leading up to the 2008 U.S. Melges 24 National Championship in Charleston, S.C. on September 18-21, and the North American Championship in Annapolis, M.D., October 26-November 2 — Newport offers the BEST in challenging conditions and stiff competition.

It's not too late to sign-up and join in on the fun! Visit Sail Newport , the official event website. There is a variety of race documents and a host of options, including Online Registration .

For the Melges 24s, a weigh-in will be conducted. Please stay tuned to the official website of the U.S Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA) as more information such as location, date and time will be announced shortly. All entrants must have a valid USMCA Membership to compete.