Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis Melges 24 World Championship - Regatta Center Relocated To City Dock

This is a very positive move for the event, which was to have been based at the Annapolis Sailing School on the outskirts of the city. This new venue will bring the championship right into the heart of downtown Annapolis and offers the event a more protected and larger dock facility, showers, allocated competitor parking, improved social facilities, easier access to downtown shops and services, higher public visibility and without doubt a much more scenic backdrop for the event. 

Registration, measurement, launching and haul out for the regatta will still be based at the Annapolis Sailing School to take advantage of the storage and measurement space the center offers. However, once through the measurement process competitors will now be able to move to the Regatta Center at Annapolis City Dock, which opens on Friday 23 October. 

A delighted Regatta Chairman Elizabeth Filter commented, “We know that this seems to be a late decision, but when the City of Annapolis invited us to move our venue, we jumped at the chance. It’s more than just pretty scenery down there.  City Dock gives us the space, the water and a very protected harbor.  Every move we have made, every decision we have taken has always been with the thought “what is best for the racers?”  As sailors ourselves, we are confident that we are delivering the professional and world-class event the competitor’s deserve.”

The sailors are also fully behind the move as is amply demonstrated by Chris Larson whose reaction sums up the feeling among the fleet - “I think this is a fantastic opportunity for the City, for the event, and for the competitors.  Annapolis’ charm and sailing heritage will make the event second to none. Most important, the event itself will be ‘one of a kind’.  The festival atmosphere on City Dock will be sure to impress everyone from competitor to spectator.  It’s something you don’t see here in the States, but is done successfully in Europe. As a competitor, I prefer to be centrally located at a regatta rather than at a remote location. When the curtain opens, it will be a spectacle not to miss.  I’m confident it will be an amazing event.” 

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. Notice of Race Amendment No 2 with details of the revised venue have been posted to the event web site. The final closing date for entries is tomorrow, Friday 9 October, and Corinthian competitors are reminded that they must submit their full crew lists by that date, includi

ng ISAF IDs and valid classifications, to be eligible for inclusion in the Corinthian Division. Online entry and further details are available from the event web site.

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 the City of Annapolis, 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 Sailboatsand 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:

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 

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

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