Early Entry Incentive In Effect For 2009 Melges 24 World Championship, 23-31 October In Annapolis
Early Entry Incentive In Effect For 2009 Melges 24 World Championship,
23-31 October In Annapolis
As the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship draws ever closer, Organizing Authority offers attractive early entry incentive — the chance to win a personalized, one-of-a-kind, hard-covered coffee table book.
Annapolis, Md. (July 9, 2009) - Preparations continue at a rapid rate in anticipation of the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship to be contested October 23-31 on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Organized by the Eastport Yacht Club (EYC) at the site of the Annapolis Sailing School, Melges 24 teams worldwide are encouraged to submit their entries as soon as possible. By registering prior to the early entry deadline of 31 July, teams are included in a raffle to win a unique Racebook-US by esteemed photographer Cindy Cady.
Register Online. (Crew lists do not need to be confirmed to register.) Also, be sure to visit and bookmark the Official Event Website.
Already the List Of Current Entries shows promise by attracting the likes of reigning World Champion helmsman Lorenzo Bressani and owner Lorenzo Santini on Uka Uka Racing. Bressani alone carries an impressive sailing resume that includes six, various World Championship titles. So far in 2009,Uka Uka has conquered Key West, the Annapolis NOOD and recently won the Italian Open.
The Uka Uka Racing team will feature most of the 2008 winning crew including three-time Melges 24 World Champion Federico Michetti, and on bow is Francesca Prina — a Women's World and UFO22 European Champion. The newest addition is the very American Jonathan McKee calling tactics, who is also a former Melges 24 World Champion, Olympic Medallist and well-known for his involvement in the high profile Puma Volvo Ocean Race program as well as the Luna Rossa America's Cup Challenge. This extraordinary ensemble's aim is tried and true for a second consecutive world title.
Other competitors already registered are 2008 North American Champion and Rolex Yachtsman of the Year Terry Hutchinson on Quantum Racing, International Class Vice Chairman (Europe) Riccardo Simoneschi on Fratelli Giacomel Audi powered by Q8 with the legendary Matteo Ivaldi (who also represented Italy during the 1996 Olympics in the 470 Class) on tactics, double Detroit NOOD Champion Alan Field on WTF and, 2008 Southeast and Northeast USMCA Melges 24 District Champion Steve Kopf on Blur.
THE EARLY ENTRY GETS THE BOOK
There will be a raffle for those boats who enter early (i.e., have completed registration before July 31). The winner will receive a personalized, Racebook-US by Eastport Yacht Club Official Event Photographer Cindy Cady — a beautiful hard-covered documentary coffee-table book capturing the images of the 2009 Worlds. This package will include a photo DVD featuring the raffle winner’s boat taken by Cindy during the event.
Cindy is the perfect sailing photographer. Not only is she an accomplished sailor herself, having won the US Women’s Championship (Adams Cup), she is also a very talented artist. She studied photography at Rice University and Glassell School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston and her work is part of many prestigious collections.
Racers are urged to submit their entry today to be included in the drawing for this one-of-a-kind keepsake, a valuable incentive to register early. Additional individually customized copies of the book may be ordered for $295.
THE 2009 MELGES 24 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IS SPONSORED BY:
Latis Yachting Solutions - Official Transportation Partner
The official transportation partner for the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship is Latis Yachting Solutions. Latis is an all-in-one provider of land-based and on-water transportation. With their fleet of heavy-duty trucks and purpose-built trailers, they can accommodate nearly any vessel that can be transported over the road. The Melges 24 is one of their specialties!
Coral Reef Sailing Apparel & Gill - Official Apparel Sponsor
The official apparel sponsor for the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship is Coral Reef Sailing Apparel (CRSA) and Gill. CRSA is continuing their strong commitment to the Melges 24 class by providing apparel for the World Championship. Items can be purchased online now, or on-site at the event. Gill is a brand leader in foul weather apparel specific to the sailing enthusiast.
Other supporting sponsors include the Boatyard Bar and Grill, Sam's Waterfront Cafe, Pusser’s Caribbean Grille at the Annapolis Marriott Waterfront, National Sailing Hall of Fame, Cindy Cady Photography, North Sails One Design, SailFastPhoto, ABS Architects, PantherVision, Chesapeake Bay Roasting Co., SheSails, Inc., and Kathryn M. Weber, CPA. This event is also supported by theInternational Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA), the U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA) and the Annapolis Melges 24 Fleet #22.
The Melges 24 Class and Eastport Yacht Club are extremely proud to be partnered with these outstanding companies and sincerely thank them for their generous support of the 2009 Worlds.
Sponsorship opportunities still exist and tax deductible donations are also being accepted; please contact 2009 World Championship Regatta Chair Liz Filter if you would like to make a gift.
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Visit the official event website at www.melges24worlds2009.com for more information on the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship. Also, visit the Eastport Yacht Club online.
The Melges 24 is designed by Reichel Pugh and considered the most unique one design sportboat in the world as well as one of the fastest-growing classes of high performance yachts. For more information, visit the official class websites of the International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA)and U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA).
For more information or press photos, please contact:
Joy Dunigan
U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA)
2009 Melges 24 World Championship Press Chair
Class Communications Director | Executive Secretary
+1 (912) 398-5776
Skype: joysavannah
Justin Chisholm
International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA)
2009 Melges 24 World Championship Press Officer
+44 7769 938722
Skype: justinchis
Fiona Brown
International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA)
Administrator
+44 (0) 7711 718470
Skype: fpbrown
Nancy Noyes
Eastport Yacht Club (EYC)
2009 Melges 24 World Championship Press Officer
+1 (410) 263-5028