MELGES 24S PREPARED TO MAKE MUSIC IN MOTOWN

Forty Melges 24s are gathering today in Detroit for the second Melges 24 North American Championship. Amongst those hoping to make beautiful music in Motown are Americans Brian Porter, who has defending North American and 2002 World Champion Harry Melges calling the shots, 2001 Corinthian (all amateur crew) World Champion Argyle Campbell and 1999 Corinthain World Champion Tom Freytag. Other US based favourites include Mike Dow, Chuck Holzman, Paul Hulsey, and Jeff Jones, all from the North West and Travis Weisleder from Richmond Virginia. Over from Britain we have John Pollard, with former British Melges 24 National Champion Rob Smith as tactician, Simon Strauss and Joe Woods. Three top Canadian boats are also competing under skippers Mark Steyn, Brian Crammer and Jim Person.

The championship is being hosted by the North Star Yacht Club on Lake St Claire. Racing starts tomorrow, Thursday 24 September and runs until Sunday 26 with 10 windward leeward races scheduled. Particular thanks go to event sponsors Columbia Marketing Tools, Harken, Quantum Sails Design Group, North Sails, Boston Sail Loft and Grolsch, whose generous support has made the regatta possible.

This regatta is also the final event in the Melges 24 North American Ranking Series so there's a lot riding on the result. Those also hoping to clinch a podium place in the Ranking include Travis Weisleder, Pepe Parsons, John Pollard and Jeff Jones.