| NEWPORT, RI, USA-(4-6-2004) The New York Yacht Club (NYYC) will host the
2005 International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Team Racing World Championship
Sept. 24-Oct. 1 at Harbour Court, its Newport, Rhode Island, clubhouse. The
biennial event, one of five ISAF World Championships to be held in 2005, is
expected to draw teams from as many as 20 nations. As the event name
indicates, teams of three boats compete head-to-head to achieve the best
overall result. Teams are color-coordinated for easy identification, and the
racing tends to be close, tactical and spectator friendly.
Commenting on the 2005 Championship, ISAF President Paul Henderson said,
`ISAF is delighted that the United States will be hosting the 2005 ISAF Team
Racing World Championship and at such a prestigious venue as the New York
Yacht Club in Newport, Rhode Island. The New York Yacht Club is an excellent
venue, with a superb event-management team. The club has previously hosted
an ISAF World Championship, back in 1996 when the club welcomed the world's
youth sailors at the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship, and ISAF looks
forward to returning in 2005.`
The 2005 ISAF Team Racing Worlds will be sailed in Vanguard 15s - see photo.
In addition to Vanguard Sailboats, initial sponsors include Sailing World
magazine, Mount Gay and Heineken.
The organizing authority is US SAILING, the United States' Member National
Authority (MNA) of ISAF.
The 2003 event, held in Auckland, New Zealand, before the 2003 America's Cup
Match, was won by the U.S.A. Competing was a lineup similar to that expected
in 2005: teams from Australia, Great Britain, India, Ireland, New Zealand,
United States, Czech Republic and the Netherlands. The Team Racing World
Championship was last held in the U.S.A. in 1998.
The 2005 Team Racing Worlds will be sailed on Narragansett Bay off Goat
Island, chosen as it is enjoyed by competitors and spectators, alike. `It is
center stage,` said Steve Wolff, chair of the NYYC's Sailing Committee.
`Sails will be colorful, and live commentary will be provided by Ken Legler,
sailing coach at Tufts University.`
Opening ceremonies are set for Sunday Sept. 25th, 2005. Racing begins
Tuesday Sept. 27th, and the Closing Ceremonies are Saturday Oct. 1st.
For this event, each team shall consist of three crews of two competitors -
for a total of six people. Each team shall include a minimum of one female
competitor. Teams may be nominated by their local Member National Authority
(MNA) of ISAF. An additional MNA entry may be allowed subject to possible
limits. Entries may also be secured through qualifying regattas. The
qualifying regatta for the United States, for example, is the U.S. Team
Racing Championship for the George R. Hinman Trophy, Sept. 10-12, 2004, at
Bayview YC in Detroit (http://www.ussailing.org/hinman/2004/index.htm).
For further information on the ISAF Team Racing World Championship visit the
NYYC's website www.nyyc.org or http://www.nyyc.org/teamracingworlds
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