SELDEN PROCTOR TO TRIAL NEW MELGES 24 MAST IN HELSINKI

As you may be aware the problem of supply of Melges 24 masts has been the subject of some discussion in recent months. At present the IMCA World Council is still awaiting clarification from the builders of the exact position regarding availability of masts from the existing manufacturer. As a class it is obviously in our best interests to be as fully prepared as possible should the need to consider a change of supplier arise.

To date Selden Proctor are the only company to have approached the builder with a completed alternative mast, however, their product differs from the existing mast in a number of key areas including section, track system, spreader system, etc. They have built a trial spar, which has been tested in non-race conditions, but the next step required to enable the IMCA Technical Committee to evaluate the rig in detail is for it to be used in full race conditions.

In consultation with ISAF the IMCA World Council has given permission for a full racing trial of the Selden Proctor mast to be conducted at the forthcoming Melges 24 European Championship 2004 in Helsinki.

A single Selden Proctor mast will be trialled in a boat skippered by IMCA Treasurer Quentin Strauss who will sail with a crew which includes Chips Howarth from Selden Proctor and helmsman Mark Rushall. The boat will be eligible to score points in the regatta as normal, but, should the situation arise, will not be entitled to claim the title "European Champion".

It is important to note the following points:

1. This trial is for evaluation purposes only and neither gives nor implies any class approval of the Selden Proctor mast.

2. Should the need to change mast supplier arise the IMCA Technical Committee will be able to evaluate the trial information gained from the Europeans and any other tests and trials to establish whether the Proctor mast is a possible alternative.

3. At this time the only supplier requesting a trial is Selden Proctor, however, if the need arises additional trials will be organised for other suppliers' products

4. Chips Howarth of Selden Proctor will be available in Helsinki to meet with owners and discuss the Selden Proctor Mast in detail.

5. David Chivers will oversee the collection of data from the trial on behalf of the IMCA Technical Committee, Executive Committee and World Council.