Melges 24s Gather Pace On The Road To Corpus Christi As Entry Deadline Extended For 2011 Melges 24 World Championship
With just nine weeks to go until the 2011 Melges 24 World Championship, to be hosted by Corpus Christi Yacht Club with championship racing from 16-21 May, the fleet's Road to Corpus Christi series of four warm up events is well underway. Taking in events in Key West, Miami and Charleston, the Road to Corpus Christi series has been specially designed to prepare the fleet for the Worlds and is attracting sailors from across North America as well as a number of the top European teams.
With two events now completed - Key West in January and the Miami Winter Regatta at Coconut Grove - Italy's Riccardo Simoneschi sailing Audi is leading the series overall from Chicago's Brian Porter and his Full Throttle Team. Third place is held by Guy Mossman of Charleston aboard Battle Rhythm, with Florida based Canadian Rob Butler in The Beaver fourth and Italy's Flavio Favini, helming Blu Moon for Switzerland's Franco Rossini, fifth. The remaining events in the series are Bacardi Miami Sailing Week from 10 to 12 March and Charleston Race Week from 14 to 17 April, after which it's full steam ahead to Corpus Christi. Full results from the Road To Corpus Christi Series are available from www.usmelges24.com.
Whilst the Melges 24 sailors focus on their training, the organisers at the Corpus Christi Yacht Club are working equally hard to ensure that the teams will enjoy an outstanding World Championship. The highly experienced Race Committee is led by PRO Mark Foster who brings a wealth of local knowledge and extensive championship experience to the event.
"Corpus Christi is a strong wind venue and we are expecting spectacular conditions for the 2011 Melges 24 Worlds." notes Mark Foster. "The windy conditions make Corpus Christi Bay a challenge for the sailors, while our Race Committee is building on experience already gained through running events like the 2002 J/22 Worlds & 2006 J/80 Worlds to ensure we can give the Melges 24s the very best possible racing."
Regatta Chair Teri Ficken and her team are also hard at work ensuring that everything shore side is ready and raring to go. "We've got great logistical partners for this event." Notes Teri. "The Valls Group is assisting teams with any container shipping; Ainsworth Trucking is ready to help with over ground transport; we already have storage facilities lined up for those who want to arrive early or leave there boats here for a period after the regatta; and we have special accommodation rates with the Omni Marina Tower Hotel. We've also been working closely with the Corpus Christi Area CVB, the Corpus Christi Marina and the City of Corpus Christi to assure the success of this event."
IMCA International Measurer David La Mere and Chief Equipment Inspector Greg Turman are heading up the team in charge of registration, limitation and measurement checks and as usual the ISAF Classification Commission representative will be present to conduct registration interviews with the Corinthian crews. Good registration and measurement controls have always been a priority for Melges 24 Championships and this event will be no different.
As well as great racing Corpus Christi prides itself on its legendary Texan hospitality and with an Opening Ceremony to get things underway, daily post-racing socials and prize giving's, a fantastic midweek party at the Texas State Aquarium and a Gala Awards Ceremony on the final night there will be plenty of fun to be had. Also, within walking distance of the venue, downtown Corpus Christi provides a wide variety of restaurants and shops for your evening's entertainment.
For friends and family travelling with the teams Corpus Christi offers miles of golden beaches plus attractions such as USS Lexington - a World War II aircraft carrier; Padre Island - the largest remaining natural barrier island in the world; the Heritage Park & Cultural Centre; Corpus Christi Botanical Garden and the Great Texas Birding Trail, plus shops, restaurants and galleries galore. All that and great weather too!
Online registration is now open at the Event Website. To help ensure that as many competitors as possible are able to take part Corpus Christi Yacht Club has extended the entry deadline from 11 April to 22 April 2011, allowing teams to make a decision on their participation following the final event of the Road to Corpus Christi series at Charleston Race Week. The Club has also generously agreed to waive the late entry fee so all entries will be at the standard rate. Already entrants from 8 nations and 3 continents have confirmed their entries including top teams from Europe and Australia. A list of current entrants is available online. Corinthian competitors are reminded that they must submit their full crew lists with all ISAF IDs, classifications and expiry dates prior to 22 April absolute latest. An amendment to the Notice of Race is now posted at the Event Website.
On site registration for the event will open on Wednesday May 11 and continue until Sunday May 15. There will be Pre-Worlds racing on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 May. Championship Racing gets underway on Monday 16 May with the first warning signal scheduled for 11.00 and racing continues until Saturday 21 May with no warning signal permitted after 14.30 that day. Haul-out will be completed on Sunday 22 May.
You can keep up with all the latest news and developments from the 2011 Melges 24 World Championship and the Road To Corpus Christi events via the Road To Corpus Facebook Page, the Event Web Site and www.melges24.com and
The 2011 Melges 24 World Championship is sponsored by:-
Harrison's Landing Yachting Centre
Corpus Christi, Padre & Mustang Islands Convention & Visitors Bureau
Visit the Official Event Website of the 2011 Melges 24 World Championship
The Melges 24 is designed by Reichel Pugh and considered the most unique one design sportsboat in the world as well as one of the fastest-growing classes of high performance yachts. For more information please visit the official websites of the International Melges 24 Class Association and theUnited States Melges 24 Class Association.
For more information please contact:
Fiona Brown
International Melges 24 Class Administrator & Media Coordinator
fiona.brown@melges24.com
Skype fpbrown
Tel +44 (0)7711 718470
Teri Ficken
Regatta Coordinator - Corpus Christi Yacht Club
ficken78374@aol.com
Skype teri.ficken
Tel +1 361 534 9019
Joy Dunigan
USMCA Executive Secretary & Communication Director
communications@usmelges24.com
Skpye joysavannah
Tel +1 912 756 6706