Annapolis, Md. (August 17, 2009) – Eastport Yacht Club (EYC), the Organizing Authority for the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship taking place October 23-31, is on the homestretch where preparations are concerned, as are the sailors. Sails are being tested, rigs tuned and crew lists finalized, and teams are looking to measure their progress and perform reality speed checks via the Tacktick to make sure they are peaking just in time for the big event.

Local sailing in Annapolis is very active during the late summer and fall months, posing several special valuable opportunities to further preparations.

Teams can find information regarding all forthcoming Annapolis events on the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship Official Event Website, then select ‘Local Racing Calendar’. Here is just a preview of which events are likely to be the most popular:

CBYRA | Annapolis Race Week : September 5-7
Don’t miss Race Week on the Chesapeake Bay. This event is guaranteed to be stockpiled with great racing, high caliber management, camaraderie and plenty of parties to compliment, making this event a ‘must do’. Online Registration is now open and available.

Melges 24 Sail22 Tuning Regatta : October 8-11
Special thanks to Sail22 for setting up this comprehensive training opportunity. Held at the Annapolis Sailing School, the venue of the Worlds, the racing will be specifically optimized for crew work practice. On the water, you can count on the racing to take place exactly where the Worlds will be held. Gavin O’Hare (former US Naval Academy Sailing Coach and team racing guru) will serve as PRO. It is understood that the International Melges 24’s biggest contenders are expected to attend.

Eastport Yacht Club One Design Regatta : October 17-18
This annual event has been scheduled to serve as the final warm-up to World Championship activities. It will be run under the direction of the Worlds PRO Jeff Borland to allow the competitors to become acquainted with Jeff and his team as they run this two day event.

The EYC race committee team will consist of about 40 volunteers, 25% of which are USSailing certified race officers, that bring excellent skills to all facets of the race course. Borland has experience with big, highly competitive fleets and run numerous high profile events including the J-22 Worlds and J-24 East Coast Championship. He has also headed up the Santa Maria Cup for women match racers for seven years and most recently PRO for the 2008 Melges 24 North Americans. Borland is quite familiar with the boat and will be sure to challenge the fleet to bring on their “A” game. Jeff, along with EYC Commodore Sharon Hadsell serving as deputy PRO, and his entire Worlds Race Committee team will be in place to give the fleet a preview of the racing set to come!

2009 Melges 24 Pre-Worlds Regatta : October 24-25
Also run by Worlds PRO Jeff Borland, Pre-Worlds will officially kick things off for the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship.

All competitors are reminded that accommodations can be made with the Annapolis Sailing School to keep boats rigged between any of these regattas and the Worlds.

If you have not registered for the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship yet please do so as soon as possible. Register Online (crew lists do not need to be confirmed to register.) Bookmark the Official Event Website. View the List Of Current Entries.

THE 2009 MELGES 24 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IS SPONSORED BY:
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.

Latis Yachting Solutions – Official Transportation Partner
The official transportation partner for the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship is Latis Yachting Solutions. Latis is an all-in-one provider of land-based and on-water transportation. With their fleet of heavy-duty trucks and purpose-built trailers, they can accommodate nearly any vessel that can be transported over the road. The Melges 24 is one of their specialties!

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.

The Audi Melges 20 looks ahead to moving production back to the U.S.A. and
a robust 2010 Fall and Winter racing schedule.

Moving production back to the U.S. will potentially allow for higher availability and quicker delivery. Right now, it’s important to have production pumping in the USA. The Melges Team is excited about this transition and ready to take this fast, fun and truly exciting sportboat to the next level.

Join Melges Performance Sailboats in congratulating this young and growing fleet as it celebrates the very first Audi Melges 20 U.S. National Championship on August 21-23 hosted by the Macatawa Bay Yacht Club in Macatawa, Michigan. In Europe, great things are happening too as everyone focuses on the forthcoming final event of the Audi Melges 20 Sailing Series in Porto Cervo, Italy on September 19-20. Stay tuned to melges20.com as there are BIG Winter Series plans being finalized for some hot sailing in the upcoming months.

A STREAMLINED BOAT SHOW BABY
Ever dream of taking an Audi Melges 20 for a spin? Here is your opportunity to see, touch and feel the high level of performance you’ve heard so much about.

“Downwind is just fantastic! It’s fun and fast — true high performance and high-technology,” said Marc Hollerbach after his win at Charleston Race Week. “It’s a totally different boat with a totally different feel,” commented Chuck Holzman after racing in Detroit. Join the many sailors who have committed to this ultra-cool, ultra-competitive sportboat and line-up to test sail the Audi Melges 20 in Newport and Annapolis.

Melges Performance Sailboats will be present at the International Newport Boat Show on September 17-20, 2009 and at the 40th Annual U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis on October 8-12.