2005 Melges 24 world & European championships dates
by Fiona Brown / IMCA 26 May 2004 11:00 BST
The International Melges 24 Class Association today confirmed that the Melges 24 2005 World and European Championships will take place as follows:
Melges 24 World Championship 2005
The 2005 Melges 24 World Championship will take place at the exclusive Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, Florida, USA. Racing will take place from Monday 12 to Friday 16 December 2005 with registration commencing on Friday 9 December.
Set in two thousand lush tropical acres on the edge of the Atlantic, Ocean Reef Club is one of the most beautiful private communities in Florida. The Club is famous for its luxurious accommodations, outstanding facilities, world-class restaurants, superb sailing conditions and very, very special atmosphere. This is the first time the club has extended an invitation to host a major sailing championship and the International Melges 24 Class Association is delighted to be the recipient of this inaugural invitation.
Karen Gottwald (USA137 Cagey) and Dick Jennings (Ocean Reef Member) are co-chairmen of the United States Melges 24 Class management committee for the 2005 Worlds. They can be contacted at the following addresses: Karen.Gottwald@cit.com or Dick@smithereen.com.
The third annual Ocean Reef Regatta will be held on December 10-12, 2004. This would be a good opportunity to experience Ocean Reef’s excellent sailing venue prior to the Worlds.
Melges 24 European Championship 2005
The 2005 Melges 24 European Championship will take place at the Royal Torbay Yacht Club in Torquay, England. Racing will take place from Monday 19 to Friday 23 September with registration commencing on 16 September.
The Royal Torbay YC hosted the first ever Melges 24 World Championship in 1998 and the class is delighted to be returning to this outstanding venue. Torquay, in South West England, regularly hosts large championships and their expertise and facilities are second to none. As home to the UK’s largest Melges 24 fleet and the venue for many of the UK National Championships as well as the 1998 Melges 24 Worlds, the Royal Torbay Yacht Club’s team know exactly how to keep the Melges sailors happy both on and off the water.
Adrian Peach (GBR477 UK Panasonic) is heading the United Kingdom Melges 24 Class management committee for the 2005 Europeans. Adrian can be contacted on e-mail adrian@ukkaraoke.co.uk.
Dedicated event web sites for both championships will be launched in fall 2004, in the meantime all advance information about the regattas will be hosted at www.melges24.com.
Please contact Fiona Brown on e-mail fiona.brown@melges24.com or Tel +44 7711 718470 or visit www.melges24.com for further information about the International Melges 24 Class Association.