Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis Confirmed As Title Sponsor Of 2009 Melges 24 World Championship

In just a few weeks, some of the most talented sailors on the planet will gather in Annapolis, MD, USA, to decide just who the best Melges 24 sailor in the world is.  Weighing in to support this battle of the giants as the confirmed title sponsor will be Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis, the Baltimore-Annapolis area’s ONLY Elite Lexus dealership for six consecutive years. Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis, the International Melges 24 Class and regatta host Eastport Yacht Club all share a common passion – to provide their customers and members with a world-class owner/membership experience.  They strive to provide superior products and service and their shared goal is to always exceed expectations.

“To race a Melges 24 is without doubt the pinnacle of grand-prix sports-boat sailing.  To drive a Lexus is to experience the perfect blend of automotive performance and luxury.  To own a Lexus from Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis is to experience something even more:  a recognition of your personal needs that goes beyond offering expert service and convenient hours.  The synergy between us, the Melges 24 class and Eastport Yacht Club is clear.  So, when the invitation came through to become title sponsor of the Melges 24 Worlds, it was an opportunity we jumped at.  We look forward to a thrilling competition and a hugely rewarding partnership,” states Paul LaRochelle, General Manager of Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis.

Throughout the regatta, competitors will be able to inspect a wide range of Lexus luxury automobiles, which will be on display at the regatta center.  The regatta will open with the Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis Welcome Reception on Sunday 25 October and will close with a spectacular Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis Gala Prize Giving Party on Saturday 31 October.

“We are thrilled to welcome Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis aboard as title sponsor,” says Liz Filter, Chairman of the Eastport Yacht Club’s organizing committee.  “Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis has a reputation for quality and customer service that is second to none and here at Eastport Yacht Club, we are pulling out all the stops to ensure that the regatta experience our competitors enjoy at the Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis Melges 24 World Championship is also second to none!”

The Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis Melges 2009 24 World Championship will be hosted by the Eastport Yacht Club, Annapolis, from October 23 until October 31 and already 54 crews from across the USA, Canada and Europe have confirmed their entries.  Entries close on October 9 and further details about the regatta, including the online entry form, are available from the Event Web Site –www.melges24worlds2009.com.

THE SHEEHY LEXUS OF ANNAPOLIS 2009 MELGES 24 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IS SPONSORED BY: 

Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis - Title Sponsor
Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis, the Baltimore-Annapolis area’s ONLY Elite Lexus dealership for six consecutive years, will be the title sponsor of the Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis 2009 Melges 24 World Championship. To drive a Lexus is to experience the perfect blend of automotive performance and luxury.  To own a Lexus from Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis is to experience something even more:  a recognition of your personal needs that goes beyond offering expert service and convenient hours. Throughout the regatta, competitors and spectators will be able to inspect a wide range of Lexus luxury automobiles, which will be on display at the regatta center.

Pusser’s Rum – Official Rum
The official rum for the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship is Pusser’s Rum.  Rum and the sea are inseparable, and no rum is more akin to the sea and the sailor than Pusser's Rum–the Original Navy Rum. Pusser’s continues its long standing association with the Melges 24 Class by hosting the mid-week Pusser’s Painkiller Party as well as providing their legendary Pusser’s Painkiller cocktails for the daily post racing gatherings and sponsoring the Pusser’s WipeOut Of The Day competition. 

Coral Reef Sailing Apparel & Gill - Official Apparel Sponsor
The official apparel sponsor for the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship is Coral Reef Sailing Apparel (CRSA) and Gill. CRSA is continuing their strong commitment to the Melges 24 class by providing apparel for the World Championship. Items can be purchased online now, or on-site at the event. Gill is a brand leader in foul weather apparel specific to the sailing enthusiast.

Atlantic Yacht Rigging - Official Rigging Partner
The official rigging partner for the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship is Atlantic Yacht Rigging. AYRS is a full service company that can help with any of your rigging or repair needs any time of the year. From wire swaging projects to fiberglass repair and everything in between, they will be onsite providing the best service to the entire fleet. 

Tacktick - Official IMCA Media Output Sponsor
Tacktick, the world leader in wireless, solar powered electronics for the marine industry, is the Official Sponsor of the Media Output from the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship. Tacktick’s support will enable the class to provide media output in the form of daily press releases, live online reporting from the racecourse via the official Melges 24 Blog as well as on the dock video interviews with the sailors. 

Other supporting sponsors include t2p.tv, National Sailing Hall of Fame,  BoatingLaw.com, MarinaCastTV,Go!The Airport Shuttle, Boatyard Bar and Grill, Sam's Waterfront Cafe, APS Ltd, Pusser’s Caribbean Grille at the Annapolis Marriott Waterfront, Team Barbarians, RACEBOOK-US, North Sails One Design, SailFastPhoto, PantherVision, Chesapeake Bay Roasting Co., Bert Jabin's Yacht Yard, Sail 22, Latis Yachting Solutions SheSails, Inc. Quantum Sails, Melges Performance Sailboats and Kathryn M. Weber, CPA. This event is also supported by the International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA), the U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA) and the Annapolis Melges 24 Fleet #22.

The Melges 24 Class and Eastport Yacht Club are extremely proud to be partnered with these outstanding companies and sincerely thank them for their generous support of the 2009 Worlds.

Sponsorship opportunities still exist and tax deductible donations are also being accepted; please contact 2009 World Championship Regatta Chair Liz Filter if you would like to make a gift.

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Visit the official event website at www.melges24worlds2009.com for more information on the Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis 2009 Melges 24 World Championship. Also, visit the Eastport Yacht Club online.

The Melges 24 is designed by Reichel Pugh and considered the most unique one design sportboat in the world as well as one of the fastest-growing classes of high performance yachts. For more information, visit the official class websites of the International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA)and U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA).

For more information or press photos, please contact:

Joy Dunigan
U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA)
2009 Melges 24 World Championship Press Chair
Class Communications Director | Executive Secretary
+1 (912) 398-5776
Skype: joysavannah

Justin Chisholm 
International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA)
2009 Melges 24 World Championship Press Officer
+44 7769 938722
Skype: justinchis 

Fiona Brown
International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA)
Administrator 
+44 (0) 7711 718470
Skype: fpbrown

Nancy Noyes
Eastport Yacht Club (EYC) 
2009 Melges 24 World Championship Press Officer
+1 (410) 263-5028