News

Melges 24 Owner Karen Gottwald, GL70 "Pied Piper" Owner and Ocean Reef Club member Dick Jennings hosted their 2nd annual event this past week at the Ocean Reef Club.

It is with great sadness that I tell you all that Hal Pickering of Pensacola, FL has passed away. Hal was our US Melges 24 Class President from 2000 through spring of 2003 and was also Vice Chairman of the IMCA between 2000 and 2003.

For a fascinating insite into the work that Shark and Philippe Kahn have put into their sailing programmes in recent years go read Scuttlebutt's interview with Dave Ullman

Further to our story from earlier in the week we have just been advised that the Yacht Club de France has launched a web site for the Coupe de France from which you can obtain all the information about the event, register on line, etc. Visitwww.ycf-club.fr

A full information pack for the 2004 Coupe de France, to be held in Saint-Tropez from March 19-21, is now available. After the huge success of the 2003 Coupe de France you are recommended to register your interest with the organisers asap as the number of teams will be restricted in 2004.

URGENT - We have just received notification that the dates for the US Nationals have now been put back to May 6-8 2004 (with a practise race on May 5). This change is due to the strong likelyhood that Santa Cruz Harbour may be closed because of problems with shoaling from winter storms.