Melges 24 North American Championship 06 - Preview

PRESS RELEASE - The 2006 Melges 24 North American Championship gets underway this week in Santa Cruz, California, with the top Melges 24 crews from across North America and several European teams challenging for this biennial continental championship.

Registration begins at the Santa Cruz Yacht Club on Tuesday 16th May and there will be practise racing on Wednesday 17th. Championship racing runs from Thursday 18th to Sunday 21st May with 10 races scheduled. The combination of big ocean swells and a typically strong afternoon sea breeze make this venue a Melges 24 sailor's dream and PRO Hank Stuart and his race committee will be working hard to make the most of those conditions.

Reigning North American Champion Argyle Campbell and his crew from Newport Beach will be defending their title. Locally based Philippe Kahn's Team Pegasus is putting forward three boats to challenge Campbell with Samuel 'Shark' Kahn, Dave Ullman and Philippe Kahn helming. Along side them the stars of the Melges 24 US West Coast Fleet will all be on the water including Bruce Ayres, Jim Barkow, Stan Ericksson and Dan Hauserman. Travelling in from the Mid-West will be Brian Porter and his Full Throttle team with Harry Melges III, John Porter and Dave Navin on board.

Germany's legendary Alba Batzill and his reigning Melges 24 Corinthian (all amateur) European Champion crew, headed by owner Eddy Eich, are looking to add the North American title to their trophy cabinet. Eddy and Alba are on a roll right now having also secured the 6m World crown in 2005 so the Americans will have to look to their laurels.

Ashore the competitors will have plenty to keep them entertained with parties every night. Particular thanks must go to event sponsors Pusser's Rum, Red Bull, New England Ropes and the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co, whose generous support has made this event possible.

Daily news reports and photographs will be posted at www.melges24.com. Those wishing to receive press releases and images by e-mail or press representatives who would like to attend the event should contact IMCA Press Officer Fiona Brown on E-mail fiona.brown@melges24.com, Tel +44 (0)7711 718470 or Skype fpbrown. Visiting journalists are requested to confirm their attendance plans in advance so we can reserve them space in the West Marine sponsored press boat and the press office.

Further information about the 2006 Melges 24 North American Championship is available from www.melges24na2006.com.

The Santa Cruz Yacht Club can be contacted on E-mail info@scyc.org, Tel +1 831 425 0690, Fax +1 831 425,7032, www.scyc.org or at 244 Fourth Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, USA

For more information about the International Melges 24 Class Association please contact Fiona Brown, IMCA Press Officer, E-mail fiona.brown@melges24.com, Tel +44 (0)7711 718470, www.melges24.com.

Our thanks to event sponsors Pusser's Rum, Red Bull, New England Ropes & Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.