Slam to Title Sponsor 2009 U.S. National Championship Series

From the USMCA - High tech sailing sportswear manufacturer SLAM named title sponsor of 2009 U.S. Melges 24 National Championship Series. Thirty high-spirited events spread across the USA will combine to award 1 overall champion title and 6 district titles.

The U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA) is pleased to announce that SLAM Advanced Technology Sportswear has been named title sponsor of the 2009 National Championship Series (NCS). The NCS is a 30 event series, across all 6 U.S. districts, with the goal to increase participation and overall awareness of the Melges 24 class. Winners of the NCS events, including overall nationally as well as district champions, will be awarded with custom embroidered trophies of various SLAM gear. With SLAM's support, the USMCA will be able to provide well-deserved recognition to these winning teams including those that qualify and win in the progressive Corinthian division. The 2009 NCS will offer every Melges 24 team the chance to experience SLAM's high tech sailing gear, clothing and accessories, which are the best in class.

"This is a win-win sponsorship and opportunity for both SLAM and the Melges 24." says USMCA Class President Travis Weisleder. "The Championship Series is designed to motivate more Melges 24 teams across the country to participate in not only their local club events, but also their regional events. This sponsorship, combined with our new dues structure is all within our 2009 goals of increasing membership and awareness of the class, while still having fun. What we have created is an incredible cross section of 30 regattas nationwide to reach deep into the heart of the Melges 24 fleet and expose teams to a higher level of competition with very little effort and cost."

SLAM is no stranger to the Melges 24 Class. For the last two years, SLAM has supported the USMCA as well as many teams within the fleet. This title sponsorship agreement takes their support to a higher level. "We are quite excited to be the title sponsor of the Melges 24 National Championship Series." says Filippo Bovio, President of Regata USA, LLC the official U.S. Distributor of SLAM. "This is a distinct opportunity for us to further expose our sailing gear to more Melges 24s and show them how it has been designed with sportboat sailor in mind."

"It is our goal to make the very best sailing gear, and with that concept in mind, we partner with only the best in the world. We recently were chosen by BMW Oracle Racing as their official team supplier and now, we partner with the U.S. Melges 24 Class." continued Bovio. "We have proven many times, that our unique approach to clothing design and use of innovative fabrics, enable our products to help a team improve their overall performance. We understand that comfort is a key ingredient to winning in the Melges 24."

Already the 2009 SLAM National Championship Series has delivered success. The first event took place in St. Petersburg at the NOOD Regatta on February 13-15 boasting an impressive 45 entrants from 15 states and Canada. The Melges 24 fleet was the largest one design sportboat in attendance.

The 2nd NCS event happens on the West Coast at the 2009 Spring Keel Regatta scheduled for March 7-8 in San Francisco, Calif. Event no. 3 takes place within the Gulf Coast region, the Melges 24 Open happens March 28-29. The 4th event takes place the same weekend in Naples, Fla. at the Porsche Cup. Event no. 5 will offer another spectacular display of big fleet racing — 2009 Charleston Race Week happens on April 16-19, where already 33 teams are registered.
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About SLAM
A small group of friends — true sailing fanatics — decided, in 1979, to develop a sailing apparel line capable of providing concrete improvements to a sailor's comfort and performance. Their passion for research and innovation grew; a winning strategy which earned them much praise and a huge following, resulting in considerable sales growth. This will to continually improve and innovate led to widespread adoption of the brand, making it the technical apparel line of choice for some of the world's top sailors (not least, amongst them, Russell Coutts, three times winner of the America's Cup) - whereby SLAM technical clothing would be chosen when taking on new and important competitive challenges.