Race 1 Organise Sydney 40 Palma Winter Series

RACE 1'S PALMA REGATTA WINTER SERIES KICKS OFF IN MALLORCA

Starting on the 19th and 20th February 2000, Race 1 have organised an exciting Winter Series sailing programme for One-Design racing in Sydney 40's in Palma, Mallorca. The Sydney 40's, which have been re-selected for the 2001 Champagne Mumm Admiral's Cup, will participate in a series of regattas which will run for a total of five weekends during February and March.

With five or six competitive races held over the Saturday and Sunday, each weekend will count as a separate event, but there will also be a Series Championship counting 75% of the races held. A regular racing fleet of six to eight boats is anticipated.

Race 1 has organised very competitive flights and accommodation in Palma enabling a full team for a Sydney 40 to participate in one of the weekends for an all-inclusive £150 per head, plus the charter of the yacht. The package includes Thursday to Monday flights (Gatwick departure), standard accommodation with full board, shared car hire and insurance.

Philip Crebbin, Director of Race 1 says, "This is a very exciting time for us. Forward bookings for the Winter Series are already encouraging and genuine progress is being made towards establishing Race 1 as a leading Grand Prix Racing company. An accomplished crew may wish to charter one of our yachts for a particular race or event or we may be asked to train, motivate and help build an inexperienced crew into a winning team. It's all part of the full service we can provide."

Staying in Palma, Mallorca, straight after the Winter Series will be the Sydney 40 Mediterranean Championships on 25th - 27th March.

Directly following on 28th March - 2nd April will be the Sydney 40 2000 World Cup. After the success of the 1999 Race 1 Sydney 40 World Championship, held before the Champagne Mumm Admiral's Cup in Cowes last year, the second World Championship of the class will be equally popular and competitively exciting with entries expected from Australia, Japan, USA as well as Britain and a host of European Nations.

Designed by Iain Murray, the Sydney 40 yachts are the essence of Grand Prix Offshore racing. They will fully engage crew in all conditions, giving the best possible performance at all times. Winning in the class is a true test of skill, teamwork and strategy, raising the game of all players and keeping racing close and competitive.

Iain Murray, designer and a world champion and America's Cup yachtsman says of the Sydney 40 design, "It is a great club racer, offers high performance and is versatile, powerful and exciting. In its Grand Prix racing configuration the Sydney 40 can be easily optimised to the rule of choice. Its one-design mode offers a very satisfying yacht that is powered downwind by large masthead spinnakers."

For further information on events, costs and bookings contact Jonny Falkner or Philip Crebbin at Race 1, Telephone: 07005 388 599, Fax: 01243 574265 or E-mail: u2canrace1@aol.com or go to the Race 1 Website: www.race1.co.uk