2010 will mark another stepping-stone with the creation of Bacardi Miami Sailing Week (BMSW). The event will be a six-day experience that will gather additional National and International sailing classes together in a fun-filled week of regattas, awards ceremonies, parties, and cultural exhibits. The racing begins on Monday, March 8, 2010 with events scheduled daily through Saturday, March 13, 2010. The 83rd running of the Bacardi Cup and its Star Class will be the feature event of the weeklong regattas. More one-design classes have been invited to join the activities, and the Melges 20, Melges 24, J24 and the Viper 640 classes have been confirmed to compete in BMSW in conjunction with their 2010 North American Championship. Event registration is now open.

The prestigious Coral Reef Yacht Club will continue to be the Organizing Authority for the Star Class and will coordinate on-water activities in collaboration with Biscayne Bay Yacht Club and Coconut Grove Sailing Club. The U.S. Sailing Center and Shake-A-Leg will also support the event. Regattas will be held on three different courses approximately two miles out on Biscayne Bay. Miami Sailing Week is a Studiomilano creation and Bacardi is the event title sponsor.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to be able to launch a new event and be able to be working with Bacardi. It is an honor for us to feature the 83rd Bacardi Cup as the Miami Sailing Week main event and have Bacardi as our title sponsor” comments President of Studiomilano Gabriele Pedone. “The Bacardi Cup has a long rich heritage in the world of sailing and we are honored to be granted the opportunity to work alongside Bacardi, Coral Reef Yacht Club and the entire Coconut Grove waterfront. The overall plan of Bacardi Miami Sailing Week is to preserve the great heritage of this historic regatta and allowing other sailors to be part of a new Miami tradition.”

Bacardi Miami Sailing Week will in fact offer sailors from a variety of different one-design classes the chance to compete in various regattas, all of which will be sponsored by Bacardi. An exciting weeklong string of competitions will kick off Miami Sailing Week, March 8th, 2010, with the Bacardi Cup serving as the capstone event, closing the festivities on Saturday, March 13th with the award presentation at Peacock Park.

More information on the 83rd Bacardi Cup and Miami Sailing Week is available at the website.

About Studiomilano:
Studiomilano is a full service marketing and management firm, founded in August 2002, representing some of the leading luxury retailers and events in the world. Services range from business and project management to event development and coordination, and all aspects in between. For more information on Studiomilano, visit their website.

About Bacardi Rums:
In 1862, in Santiago de Cuba, Bacardi revolutionized the spirits industry when founder Don Facundo Bacardi began producing his remarkable light-bodied, smooth rum Bacardi, the world’s favorite premium rum brand and the world’s most awarded premium rum. Today, Bacardi Rum is produced in Puerto Rico, following the production legacy set forth by Don Facundo – crafted in a five-step distillation process, aged in American white oak barrels, and filtered five times for unparalleled quality and smoothness.

About Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.:
Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. is the United States import, sales and marketing arm of one of the world’s leading spirits and wine producers. The company boasts a portfolio of some of the most recognized and top-selling spirits brands in the United States including Bacardi rum, the world’s favorite and best-selling premium rum, as well as the world’s most awarded premium rum; Grey Goose^® vodka, the world-leader in super-premium vodka; Dewar’s^® Blended Scotch Whisky, the number-one selling blended Scotch whisky in the United States; Bombay Sapphire^® gin, the top-valued premium gin in the world; Cazadores^® blue agave tequila, the number-one premium tequila in the world; Martini^® vermouth, the world-leader in vermouth; and other leading and emerging brands.

Established in 1877 the Rochester Yacht Club prides itself on an excellent race committee, a great clubhouse and wonderful facilities and grounds crew. In recent years the club has hosted many prestigious regattas including the 2009 Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship, the Hospice Regattas National Championships 2009 and 2010, the 2008 J/22 Worlds with 104 boats on the starting line and the 2007 IFDS Disabled Sailing World Championship, all to great critical acclaim.

Of Rochester Yacht Club, International Melges 24 Class Chairman Günter Tzeschlock commented “When assessing a venue for suitability the International Melges 24 Class has a long list of requirements ranging from outstanding race management and major championship experience to good accommodation and social facilities. When the opportunity to hold the 2010 Melges 24 North American Championship at Rochester Yacht Club arose we were thrilled as the club ticks every one of our requirement boxes and then some. The timing of the regatta in late September ensures we will have warm weather and good winds and we are very much looking forward to both an outstanding regatta and some wonderful hospitality.”

Speaking on behalf of the Rochester Yacht Club, Regatta Co-Chairman Peter Cucci said, “RYC members are very committed to their regattas. They welcome competitors with open arms and do their best to make visitors’ stays as enjoyable as possible. Parking is convenient and the club has ample parking space.  There are a number of hoists for boats, and nearby ramps for launch and haul out. It’s a competitor’s dream facility. There are many reasons why anyone would want to do the Melges 24 North American Regatta in Rochester. Just a few reasons we think any sailor would love to sail out of the Rochester Yacht Club are:

• Terrific venue
• Fresh water sailing
• Great race committee work
• Friendly yacht club that knows how to host major events
• Good deals on hotels and food
• Plenty of dry storage area before and after the event.

The Regatta Website is up and running, the Notice of Race has been posted and Online Registration is now open. If you have questions regarding the regatta please e-mail m24na@rochesteryc.com.”

Located on the south shore of Lake Ontario in New York State and founded in the early 19th century Rochester is the 79th largest city in the United States and the third largest urban area in New York State. It is one of ten cities in the country to receive the All-American-City Award as a great place to live and is perhaps most famous as the home of the ingenious American inventor and philanthropist George Eastman and his Eastman Kodak Company. With a wonderful range of cultural, sporting, social and retail facilities Rochester also offers plenty to keep accompanying family and friends occupied whilst the teams are racing.

Registration for the 2010 Melges 24 North Americans will open on Monday 20 September, there will be Practice Racing on Wednesday 22 September and Championship Racing will run from Wednesday 23 to Sunday 26 September with up to 12 races scheduled.

The Melges 24 Class and Rochester Yacht Club bring an outstanding global media track record, an onsite audience of well-connected and wealthy individuals from around the globe plus an experienced and flexible sponsorship management team focused on meeting sponsor’s individual needs. The 2010 Melges 24 North American Championship offers a range of excellent sponsorship opportunities from official supplier to title sponsor.  To find out more about the opportunities please e-mail the Organizing Authority at M24na@rochesteryc.com.

Members of the press who would like to receive further information about the 2010 Melges 24 North American Championship or who wish to attend the event should contact IMCA Administrator & Media Coordinator Fiona Brown, Skype fpbrown or Tel +44 (0)7711 718470.

Visit the Official Event Website of the 2010 Melges 24 North American Championship

Tallinn, Estonia – 17 February 2010 – The International Melges 24 Class is pleased to announce that the Notice of Race and Online Entry for the 2010 Melges 24 World Championship, to be hosted by the Kalev Yacht Club, Tallinn, Estonia in association with the Finnish & Estonian Melges 24 Class from 4-12 August 2010, are now available from the Event Website.

The Finnish & Estonian Melges 24 Class has gone from strength to strength in recent years and now boasts one of the strongest and
most competitive national Melges 24 fleets anywhere in the World. Founded in 1947 the Kalev Yacht Club is
Estonia’s oldest and most highly regarded yacht club and has outstanding experience in running major regattas. The club is based in the Pirita Olympic Harbour, which was purpose built for the 1980 Moscow Olympics and offers outstanding regatta facilities.

The harbour is located just 5km from Tallinn, the historic capital city of Estonia, with its numerous pubs, clubs and restaurants,
outstanding shopping facilities and historic centre, which dates back to the 13th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

“We are thrilled to be taking the Melges 24 World Championship to the former Eastern Block for the first time.” commented International Melges 24 Class Chairman Günter Tzeschlock. “Tallinn is one of the Baltic’s most beautiful and historic sailing
venues and with the advantages of the purpose built Olympic marina and great sailing waters plus a fascinating city and sandy beaches right on the doorstep we’re all set for a fantastic regatta. Despite the global economic problems we achieved a record entry at our 2009 European Championship and we’re expecting a record entry for this event too thanks to the enthusiasm and dedication of our sailors and the outstanding organisational skills of the Kalev Yacht Club and the Finnish and Estonian
Melges 24 Class.”

Immediately prior to the World Championship teams are invited to take part in the Estonian Open Melges 24 Championship, which will also be hosted by the Kalev Yacht Club from 30 July to 1 August (registration Friday 30 July, racing Saturday 31 July and Sunday 1 August). Racing will be run by the Worlds Race Committee, headed by PRO Lars Nyqvist, on the championship race area in the Bay
of Tallinn making it the perfect warm up opportunity.

Registration for the 2010 Melges 24 World Championship will open on Wednesday 4 August, there will be tune up racing on Thursday 5 and Friday 6 August and Championship racing will take place from Saturday 7 to Thursday 12 August with 12 races scheduled. The event will also feature a fun social programme where the Estonian hosts will demonstrate their legendary hospitality and love of a good party!

The 2010 Melges 24 World Championship offers an excellent range of sponsorship opportunities ranging from official suppliers through to title sponsorship. The Melges 24 Class brings an outstanding global media coverage track record, an onsite
audience of well connected and wealthy individuals from around the globe and a flexible and experienced sponsorship management team dedicated to meeting sponsors needs. To find out more about the sponsorship opportunities available please contact Tomi Hakola, tomi.hakola@nelonenmedia.fi, Tel +358 40 535 2020 Skype tomihakola, Tel +358 40 535 2020.

Competitors are reminded that it is important to make accommodation reservations early. The organisers have reached a special agreement with the Pirita TOP Spa Hotel at the Pirita Olympic Harbour which offers 267 rooms just 200m from the
championship marina. To take advantage of the special accommodation rates being offered for the regatta competitors
should register via the Event Website. There is a wide range of alternative accommodation also available near the marina and in Tallinn city centre and further details of other accommodation options can also be found on the Event Website.

Members of the press who would like to receive further information about the 2010 Melges 24 World Championship or who wish to attend the event should contact IM24CA Administrator & Media Coordinator Fiona Brown, fiona.brown@melges24.com, Skype
fpbrown or Tel +44 (0)7711 718470.

The 2010 Melges 24 World Championship is sponsored by:-

Official Sailing Clothing Partner – Marine Pool

Official Marina Services Partner – TopCity

European Capital of Culture 2011 – City of Tallinn

Official Hotel Partner – Pirita Top Spa Hotel

Official Travel & Accommodation Partner – Reisiekspert

4energia Renewable Energy Company

Enterprise Estonia

LTT Wholesale Groceries

KSA Eye Centre

Brand Factory

Visit the Official Event Website of the 2010 Melges 24 World Championship.

The Melges 24 is designed by Reichel Pugh and considered the most unique one design sportsboat in the world as well as
one of the fastest-growing classes of high performance yachts. For more information, visit the official class websites of the International Melges 24 Class Association and the Finnish and Estonian Melges 24 Class Association.

For more information please contact:

Fiona Brown
International Melges 24 Class Administrator & Media Coordinator
fiona.brown@melges24.com
Skype  fpbrown
Tel  +44 (0)7711 718470

Külli Haav
Estonian Melges 24 Press Officer
kyllih@mail.com
Skype phillipa
Tel +372 511 9433

Johanna Backas
Finnish Melges 24 Press Officer
jbackas@gmail.com
Tel +358 40 723 1434

Tomi Haakola
Finnish & Estonian Melges 24 Class Chairman
Tomi.Hakola@nelonenmedia.fi
Skype tomihakola
Tel ++358 40 535 2020

Triin Sepp
Sponsorship Coordinator
triin.sepp@gmail.com
Skype Triin1969
Tel +372 516 3702

Last year, boats were traveling downwind at 21.5 knots and there was a 3 way tie for first place. We expect that this year’s event will be an even more exciting sailing experience and the Gulf Coast Sailing Club is looking forward to hosting the Melges 24 class.

Anyone that would like to store their boat after the Bacardi Miami Sailing Week, please contact Gary Schwarting at (230) 850-8155.

Register Today

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LAST WEEK FOR REDUCED REGISTRATION FEE IS COMING UP!
Racers we are entering the last week before the reduced registration fee ends on February 7th! Take advantage now…. and continue to save by taking advantage of the special rates that BACARDI Miami Sailing Week has set up with hotels and car rentals…just click here and book today.

ANNOUNCING COLOR OF WIND ART EXHIBIT
BACARDI Miami Sailing Week is proud to host a new solo exhibition of Cory Silken’s yachting photography, Color of Wind. The exhibit will feature thirty-four of Silken’s most recent images. Renowned for his unmistakable, dynamic sepia-tone panoramas, Silken’s new images in Color of Wind presented by BACARDI are saturated with the brilliant colors of some of the most breathtaking ports of call; including Grenada, Newport, Palma de Mallorca, Porto Cervo, and St. Barth’s. Stretched five feet wide on “gallerie wrap” canvas, the scope of this exhibition invites the viewer to experience a taste of the high life, including exceptional locations and spectacular sails.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
To make things easy for you to plan your week of races and activities here at the BMSW, simply click here for a complete Event Schedule. This edition’s highlighted events are the Welcome Cocktail Events hosted by BACARDI, the opening of the Cory Silken’s exhibit, Color of Wind, the Mid-Week party and Awards Ceremony along with the weeklong regattas… mark your calendar so you will be sure not miss any of the activities!

SLAM GEAR AVAILABLE
BACARDI Miami Sailing Week and SLAM have teamed up to provide you with high tech and fashionable sail gear. Check out our store for hats and shirts, and if you want to outfit your team with personalized technical wear in time for the BACARDI Miami Sailing there is still time… just click on SLAM logo or call (305) 885-9580 … sailing professionals are standing by to help you!

SUPPORTERS OF BACARDI MIAMI SAILING WEEK
This week we want to recognize the Coconut Grove Sailing Club for their help in the upcoming BACARDI Miami Sailing Week regatta.

Coconut Grove Sailing Club (CGSC) is the host for the Audi Melges 20 Class and the Melges 24 Class for BMSW with CGSC’s highly regarded Race Committee coordinated by Ron Rostorfer and directed by PRO Bruce Golison. Since it was established in 1946 CGSC served as a public access sailing facility for the community of Miami, FL and the Club has been a force in sailboat racing on the Bay ever since.

Sailing programs today offer diverse activities: Summer Sailing programs for Youth Sailing, Beginner level, Green Fleet and Red/White/Blue racing for youngest of sailors. CGSC also offers Learn to Sail for Adults, Keelboat training for Advanced Skippers and CGSC is the Host Club for the University of Miami’s Sailing Team. The Club is also involved in the Olympic Class Regatta, the Orange Bowl Regatta, among many international events, and many of the Club sailors compete internationally with great success!

Read Full Article >>>

For Melges 24s requiring free storage, space is still available at the Azalea lot in North Charleston from now until CRW. This is the same lot that has been utilized in the past. DIRECTIONS TO THE LOT

The deadline for the early registration discount is January 31. We’re looking forward to a great year, and we’re hoping to solidify some of our registration numbers by the 31st. We’re trying to let everyone know, so everyone planning on attending CRW can receive the discount.

If you need any additional information or have questions, please contact:

Daniel M. Havens
Executive Director Support
South Carolina Maritime Foundation
P.O. Box 22405
Charleston, SC 29413
843.722.1030 Ext. 18

That concludes our coverage of the Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis 2009 Melges 24 World Championship.

We hope you have enjoyed watching the action as much as the IM24CA regatta team Hank Stuart, Fiona Brown and Justin Chisholm have enjoyed bringing it to you this week.

Congratulations to all the competitors and the winners in particular to the winners.

Congratulations also to the PRO Jeff Borland and his hard working team of volunteers on the Race Committee and mark boats.

Our special thanks to the support of Tacktick and Verizon for their help in bringing you the IM24CA Championship Blog.

Finally thanks again to all of you for watching and for your many kind words of support…

Provisional Results after 11 Races:

1 55/ USA 655 West Marine Rigging / New England Ropes LARSON 5 2 6 4 2 3 12 2 8 2 [52/DNS] 46.00 1
2 37/ ITA 777 Joefly Zandonà 6 18 3 1 1 4 17 8 7 [39/ZFP] 6 71.00 2
3 34/ NOR 804 Full Medal Jacket Melleby 8 4 4 22 5 1 6 16 [27] 3 2 71.00 3
4 65/ ITA 765 FANTASTICA Celon [23] 23 8 5 6 2 5 10 6 7 1 73.00 4
5 62/ SUI 782 Blu Moon Rossini 3 6 9 21 11 23 [52/OCS] 1 1 5 3 83.00 5
6 67/ ITA 787 UKA UKA racing Bressani 26 10 1 2 4 [30] 1 6 2 21/ZFP 12 85.00 6
7 49/ USA 749 FULL THROTTLE Porter, Brian 2 12 5 12 12 13 21 [27] 15 4 4 100.00 7
8 13/ ITA 803 Gullisara fracassoli 9 1 10 13 8 14 [35] 14 25 1 7 102.00 8
9 51/ USA 751 Quantum Racing / Gill Race Team Hutchinson 1 [38] 14 10 10 7 8 5 3 32/ZFP 19 109.00 9
10 53/ USA 553 Event’s Clothing/Atlantis Hardesty 19 3 2 7 7 [37] 22 23 18 13 5 119.00 10
11 17/ USA 587 WTF Field 4 7 11 18 14 22 3 4 19 26/ZFP [52/DNF] 128.00 11
12 20/ USA 620 NULL Kirby [44] 16 18 20 19 11 10 3 24 15 24 160.00 12
13 47/ USA 747 Monsoon Ayres 21 11 13 27 3 [45] 24 11 11 32 8 161.00 13
14 39/ USA 539 Brick House 539 Lane 25 13 19 3 25 5 [52/OCS] 28 13 20 11 162.00 14
15 59/ USA 679 Gannet Mueller von Blumencr 12 [35] 21 11 21 20 23 12 23 9 10 162.00 15
16 57/ USA 757 Simplicity Strauss 14 32 7 9 [41] 25 9 20 34 6 13 169.00 16
17 45/ USA 795 Rock N Roll Campbell 18 5 20 19 33 [52/DSQ] 19 7 4 36/ZFP 16 177.00 17
18 32/ GBR 691 Team Barbarians Lea 10 15 16 8 32 [40] 37 9 35 8 9 179.00 18
19 23/ USA 623 Brick House 623 Lane 11 25 12 6 15 16 [52/OCS] 38 16 25 25 189.00 19
20 35/ ITA 735 altea racchelli 20 [49] 15 16 22 18 31 13 28 33/ZFP 14 210.00 20
21 33/ USA 533 High Voltage Hernandez 34 [42] 17 28 29 19 7 22 30 10 18 214.00 21
22 21/ USA 721 Wild Child Filter 17 [45] 31 41 9 10 2 44 20 34 15 223.00 22
23 36/ GER 635 unsponsored Wieland 24 20 29 14 28 8 15 29 33 [52/ZFP] 28 228.00 23
24 28/ USA 785 Conejo Racing-Ocean Sailing Academy Dabney 16 9 28 25 42 [44] 26 17 21 12 36 232.00 24
25 19/ NED 789 Gelikt Wietze 28 29 34 32 24 6 14 25 [36] 14 29 235.00 25
26 60/ USA 160 I’m with stupid Vowels 31 33 22 24 17 39 20 24 [41] 18 17 245.00 26
27 64/ USA 744 Sweaty betty Shafer 27 28 [41] 15 35 12 16 33 37 19 31 253.00 27
28 14/ USA 514 Evil Doughnut Mollicone 15 14 30 17 13 38 38 31 31 [43] 26 253.00 28
29 44/ FRA 644 ZIG ZAG 18 SAMUEL 22 8 40 30 30 15 [52/OCS] 42 10 30 33 260.00 29
30 25/ USA 725 Vamoose Wilkins 36 36 32 33 [44] 17 13 43 9 27 22 268.00 30
31 66/ USA 786 Battle Rhythm Mossman 7 26 39 [48] 20 9 45 32 44 28 23 273.00 31
32 63/ USA 773 Blur-Pacific Energy Ventures Kopf 41 24 23 [44] 27 31 42 35 17 17 20 277.00 32
33 16/ USA 802 OMI Truelove 43 17 36 23 18 24 25 28/20%(1) [45] 39 27 280.00 33
34 50/ USA 700 ARDOR/C.R.E.A.M. O’Reilly 33 37 33 26 16 46 41 [48] 12 21 21 286.00 34
35 11/ USA 511 511 Podmajersky 13 40 24 31 23 21 34 [51] 14 51/ZFP 44 295.00 35
36 61/ UKR 661 NULL Gureyev 45 22 25 34 36 32 29 19 [49] 31 32 305.00 36
37 42/ USA 771 Millewa Milluna Williamson 38 21 27 42 [47] 35 11 47 40 24 30 315.00 37
38 52/ USA 52 Scotch Bonnet Beale 37 44 [46] 40 26 36 4 34 29 36 43 329.00 38
39 69/ USA 769 Team Peacemaker USA 769 Anosov 29 19 26 38 38 29 [52/OCS] 37 43 35 39 333.00 39
40 26/ USA 606 chillout Golden 35 30 42 36 45 27 32 15 [46] 38 35 335.00 40
41 22/ USA 575 ZETIANA Michas 32 31 47 35 37 [49] 28 21 22 37 45 335.00 41
42 70/ USA 770 Cracker Racing Wills [52/RAF] 34 37 43 31 47 33 39 5 40 34 343.00 42
43 12/ USA 602 PBR Street Gang Hamilton 40 39 38 29 48 26 39 30 39 33 [52/DNF] 361.00 43
44 68/ USA 568 Tiburon Carleton 30 27 [50] 39 39 33 30 46 32 50 48 374.00 44
45 58/ USA 658 Mustang Hamilton 39 41 [48] 45 40 34 43 26 38 44 41 391.00 45
46 43/ CAN 723 NULL SAKS 42 [51] 35 37 34 48 36 45 42 42 46 407.00 46
47 41/ CAN 121 Black Dog Black 47 48 44 46 [51] 43 27 41 26 48 38 408.00 47
48 24/ USA 604 tom slick Wittenberg 48 43 43 47 46 42 18 [50] 50 46 42 425.00 48
49 31/ USA 21 Brinksmanship Currier 49 46 [51] 49 43 28 44 40 48 51 47 445.00 49
50 15/ USA 615 Funtech Racing Hess 46 47 45 [50] 49 41 40 49 47 49 37 450.00 50
51 40/ USA 540 Wilco! Wilhelm 50 50 49 51 50 50 [52/OCS] 36 51 47 40 474.00 51

Corinthian

Pos Bow/Sail Boat Skipper 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Total
Points Pos
1 47/ USA 747 Monsoon Ayres 4 2 1 4 1 [13] 7 1 1 6 1 28.00 1
2 59/ USA 679 Gannet Mueller von Blumencr 1 [8] 3 1 3 5 6 2 4 1 2 28.00 2
3 33/ USA 533 High Voltage Hernandez 8 [9] 2 5 6 4 2 6 6 2 4 45.00 3
4 28/ USA 785 Conejo Racing-Ocean Sailing Academy Dabney 2 1 5 3 9 [12] 8 4 3 3 9 47.00 4
5 36/ GER 635 unsponsored Wieland 5 3 6 2 5 2 4 8 8 [12/ZFP] 5 48.00 5
6 21/ USA 721 Wild Child Filter 3 11 7 10 2 3 1 [12] 2 7 3 49.00 6
7 19/ NED 789 Gelikt Wietze 6 6 8 6 4 1 3 7 [9] 4 6 51.00 7
8 61/ UKR 661 NULL Gureyev 10 4 4 7 7 8 10 5 [12] 5 7 67.00 8
9 26/ USA 606 chillout Golden 9 7 9 8 11 6 [12] 3 10 8 8 79.00 9
10 68/ USA 568 Tiburon Carleton 7 5 13 9 8 9 11 13 7 13 [14] 95.00 10
11 41/ CAN 121 Black Dog Black 11 13 11 11 [14] 11 9 11 5 12 10 104.00 11
12 24/ USA 604 tom slick Wittenberg 12 10 10 12 12 10 5 [14] 13 10 12 106.00 12
13 31/ USA 21 Brinksmanship Currier 13 12 [14] 13 10 7 13 10 11 14 13 116.00 13
14 40/ USA 540 Wilco! Wilhelm 14 14 12 14 13 14 [15/OCS] 9 14 11 11 126.00 14