IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT SORC 2001

Melges 24 competitors at the Acura Southern Ocean Racing Conference 2001 should note that for the first time all racing will take place on ocean courses off Miami Beach and that all shoreside activities will be headquartered at the Miami Beach Marina. Miami Beach Marina is located off Alton Road just south of the MacArthur Causeway.

The nightly prize givings and social activities will all be based at Monty’s Restaurant in Maimi Beach Marina, bringing all the competitors together at one social centre for the first time. "With the continued growth of the event in recent years, there has been growing interest in concentrating competition on the ocean, off Miami Beach," said Dennis "Buck" Gillette, of Fort Lauderdale, chairman of the SORC. "By combining our venues and focussing all our efforts at Miami Beach Marina, we'll have a better handle on racing logistics and all our competitors can enjoy nightly prize givings and hospitality under one roof."

With berthing space at a premium during the winter, Miami Beach Marina will add temporary docks to handle the influx of boats expected for the Acura SORC. "We are confident that we can provide dockage for all the visiting boats, from this country, and around the world, that are attracted annually to the SORC," Gillette said. "The venerable SORC took a new lease on life a decade ago, with the change to the present day racing format concentrated in Miami," said Gillette. "We are confident it will enjoy a new surge in growth and popularity with the enhancements we are initiating this year. Things like better race committee communications, faster delivery of results, and an expanded party schedule are all in the works for next March."

The 2001 Notice of Race, and other news and information about the Acura SORC are available on the regatta web site at http://www.acurasorc.com.