| MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA-(24-12-2003) Already over 80 international entries have been received for the 420 Open and Womens World Championship, and over 90 for the Australian National title to be sailed as part of Sail Melbourne2004 to be hosted by Mornington Yacht Club, in Victoria. Organisers, Yachting Victoria, are pleased with the large number of early entrants for the World Youth double-handed dinghy class that is a stepping-stone to the Olympic 470 class. 'This will be an exciting event with some close racing in big fleets. We expect the international and interstate sailors will all enjoy the sailing conditions on Port Phillip, the hospitality of the Mornington Yacht Club, and the relaxed summer holiday atmosphere of the Mornington Peninsula', said Yachting Victoria's Sail Melbourne Regatta Manager, David Staley Internationally, entries have come from Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Greece, Germany, Singapore, Croatia, Switzerland, USA, Argentina, Brazil, France, Belgium and Great Britain. Australian entries for the National title include the current ranked No.1 in the World 470 pairing of Nathan Wilmot/Malcolm Page, competing in these titles to enhance their Olympic prospects. They will face the current World champions Nathan Outteridge/Ayden Menzies who will defend their title, brother and sister skippers in Joshua McCall/Ben Callard and Renee McCall/Sarah Lawrence, along with Mark Patterson/Edward Alder and Sophie Patterson/Tim Rechichi. Rechichi's sister Elise, and her crew Tessa Parkinson, who finished 1st at the 2003 ISAF Youth Womens Worlds, will also be on the start line, as will the top ranked Victorian pair of Tom Chisholm/Jonathan Neate. As host nation, the top top14 placegetters in each of the Open and Womens divisions will earn a place at the Worlds. The other Nations are capped at seven places in each division. Internationally, entries have come from Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Greece, Germany, Singapore, Great Britain, Croatia, Brazil, Argentina, Switzerland and the USA. The Open Division line-up includes World ranked 3, Lucas Calabrese/Martin Sans (ARG), ranked 5 Scott Kennedy/Jake Bartrom (NZL), 6 ranked Jaro Furlani/Daniel Piculin (ITA) and 7 ranked Matija Longin/Pavle Kostav (CRO). In the Womens fleet, watch for World ranked 4, Liying Toh/Ching Lee Tok (SIN), ranked 7, Emmanuella Rol/Anne-Jophie Thilo (SUI) and ranked 9, Olivia Powrie/Sarah Bilkey (NZL). The large entry for the 420 events, to be sailed from December 26 through to January 11, have been helped along by the generous support of P&O Nedlloyd and Schenker Australia in providing containers and shipping at a minimal cost to Sail Melbourne competitors. Mornington Yacht Club, having hosted events of this magnitude before, including the Europe Worlds in 1999, will be a great venue for this event. Approximately 120 boats are set to take part in the Worlds, with up to 150 for the Nationals and Mornington 420 Regatta. International 420 Class President, Nino Schmueli from Israel, will officiate as the Class Technical Delegate. A picturesque location on the Mornington Peninsula, Mornington is a family club one hour's drive, or four hour's sail, south-east from Melbourne's CBD, and club officials are looking forward to welcoming their visitors Local conditions make for interesting tactical sailing, with south-westerly winds dominating, Mornington is known for its stiff breezes and flat water, giving 420 sailors a lot to look forward
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