ISRAEL TAKE DELIVERY OF FIRST MELGES 24S & DEVOTI GO INTO PRODUCTION

The Melges 24 Class continues to go from strength to strength and this month sees the start of a fledgling class in Israel. Boat numbers 462 and 464, previously registered in France, are currently on their way to Tel Aviv based owners and it is hoped that this will encourage other sailors in the area to move into the Class.

Meanwhile in Poland Devoti Sailing is now commencing production and will be testing their first boat within weeks. As soon as they have completed their quality control tests on this boat they will go into full production with their first boat going to an Italian client.

This weekend sees the start of the 2003 Melges 24 Ranking Series with Terra Nova Key West where 57 boats from 8 nations will be racing. Competing long side the top US, Canadian and European crews will be the first ever Russian entrants in an international Melges 24 event in the shape of skipper Vladimir Butenko, tactician Artiom Soloveychik and their crew sailing "Mellow Yellow". With a total of 19 European and North American events making up the 2003 World Ranking we can look forward to an outstanding year of racing ahead.

Starting on Monday 20 January we'll bring you daily reports of the racing in Key West along with all the news and gossip so stay tuned.