OSA Sailing Named Title Sponsor of the 2008 U.S. Melges 24 National Championship

Charleston, South Carolina's Ocean Sailing Academy (OSA) has officially been named title sponsor of the 2008 Melges 24 U.S. National Championship. OSA is the premier Melges 24 performance racing school. Whether you are looking to compete in the Melges 24 Class, or take your program to the next level, OSA specializes in tailoring racing clinics to fit your needs. Sessions are available year round and teach you how to sail faster and improve your teamwork.

Be sure to visit OSA Sailling online at their website at www.osasailing.com to browse a wealth of information regarding sailing courses, classes, racing opportunities and much, much more.

Quantum Sails has also been named official sailmaker for Nationals. "We're delighted that Quantum now has a great loft in Charleston, run by John Bowden. We're thrilled that they're bringing in world-class racer Skip Dieball and class stalwart Scott Nixon for the clinic on Thursday followed by a fun-filled three day regatta,' says Regatta Co-Chair and U.S. Melges 24 Class Association Charleston Fleet Captain Reggie Fairchild. "Scott has been supporting Melges 24s in the Southeast for a very long time. He always has sage and friendly advice. He coached at the The College of Charleston and was the winning tactician at this year's Charleston Race Week. He knows the harbor well." Nixon, Bowden, and Dieball will be running the practice race/clinic on Thursday, September 18 starting at 1 p.m. The clinic will provide on-the-water coaching and instruction, then run a video debrief at the Charleston Yacht Club. This will be a unique opportunity to learn awesome tips and tricks from some of the best sailors in the world!

The number of entries is now up to 43 and includes participants from all six districts governed by the USMCA. Entries have been recieved from Seattle, Wash. to Naples, Fla., from Los Angeles, Calif, to Dallas, Tx, Traverse City, Mich. and Westbrook, Conn. International entries from Canada and the UK have also been confirmed.

The stage has been set for great sailing action and parties to celebrate the best Nationals yet. The deadline for all entries is set for Thursday, September 4th, so Register Online today! Don't miss out on this chance to sail against the best-of-the-best in the world! Plan to attend and help the class push the attendance level to an all-time high!

CALLING ALL COMPETITORS
The Notice of Race (NOR) is now available at the official 2008 OSA Sailing Melges 24 U.S. National Championship event website, www.m24charleston.com. Download a copy today and process your entries online via the same web portal. A wealth of information is posted including a current list of entries, regatta documents and much, much more. There is also a related blog at M24charleston.wordpress.com. For future announcements, stay tuned to this as well as the official site of the U.S. Melges 24 Class Association at www.usmelges24.com and, the International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA) at www.melges24.com.

The 2008 OSA Sailing Melges 24 U.S. National Championship is hosted by the Charleston Yacht Club and takes place on September 18-21. The Championship is sponsored by Ocean Sailing Academy, Yacht Scoring, Charleston City Marina, Cre843, ASB Flower Design, Coral Reef Sailing Apparel,, Quantum Sails, Sadler and Hamm and the U.S. Melges 24 Class Association, www.usmelges24.com.