MARSTRAND WORLDS LATEST NEWS
David Chivers & Fiona Brown report after their site visit to Marstrand - The Marstrands Segelsällskap and Swedish Melges 24 Class are well ahead in their planning for the 2004 Worlds which take place from 9-13 August with registration from 6 August.
Marstrand Island is a small village community, which is a very busy tourist centre in the summer. It is just under 1 hour by car the ferry and airports in Gothenburg. There are a small number of hotels on the island with all other accommodation being private houses. The Island is so small that no cars are allowed (although special arrangements are being made for the Devoti Service truck to be located at the club) and walking from one end to the other takes only 10 minutes. Marstrand’s sister community is on Koon (Cow) Island across a narrow channel crossed by a chain ferry every few minutes. Koon Island is where the road in from Gothenburg terminates and the boat yard facilities, launching, trailer storage and car parking will be located. It is another small village again with largely private housing and a very nice campsite just a couple of minutes walk from the ferry.
There has been concern about the availability of accommodation and the club has gone to great lengths to ensure that all crews will be accommodated. They have contacted all the private home owners on Marstrand & Koon Islands to locate additional houses and a large number of hotel rooms have been reserved for us in the Lökebergs Konferanshotell just 10km away. If you have not already booked your accommodation please visit the event web site www.melges2004.com or E-mail Sven Wiren.
For assistance with charter boats and shipping issues please E-mail Lasse Ohlson of the Swedish Melges Class.
The facilities for launching, recovery, trailer and car parking on Koon Island are excellent. There is an assembly area to unpack and rig before moving to pre launch checks and the crane. Once afloat there are holding pontoons from which to complete rigging before you motor the short distance across the channel to the main mooring pontoons outside the club, where the final element of weigh in and registration will be completed.
The club is situated at the Eastern end of the Island in an historic stone fort complex. It is only a short sail to the race area, situated to the south of the Island. The racing will be quite close to shore and spectators can walk from the village to watch from the rocks. During August the temperatures are expected to be 70-90 deg Fahrenheit with moderate winds.
The Marstrands Segelsällskap race management team are extremely experienced and have run many major championships. They are already well progressed with all race management issues and during our meetings final queries were resolved.
The club has organised an excellent social programme. The majority of events will be hosted at the club where the grass roof of the main fort building provides a terrific roof garden for open-air functions with wonderful views over the town and harbour. In the unlikely event of rain there is a large social area within the fort building. There will be an opening night welcome party, an après sailing drinks party each day and on the final Friday night there will be the big gala prize giving party. As well as the organised events there plenty of bars, restaurants and a nightclub to ensure even the wildest of you party animals have plenty to keep you occupied!
The Swedish Class & Marstrands Segelsällskap are ready and waiting to welcome all competitors and we can look forward to an excellent championship in a most convivial and beautiful atmosphere. Visit www.melges2004.com for all the latest information.