| NEWPORT, RI. USA-(22-9-2005) Sailing's equivalent of World Cup soccer will arrive in Newport, R.I. later this week embodied by eleven countries doing battle for the 2005 Grey Goose ISAF (International Sailing Federation) Team Racing World Championship. This sailing event is geared to please spectators who will be able to watch from shore as the teams work to advance their overall positions while holding off their competitors.
Utilizing offensive and defensive techniques, each boat moves strategically to advance a teammate or slow a challenger. With two teams sailing three vs. three at a time, the emphasis is not on one boat's finishing position, but on the overall performance of the three-boat team for which there are 10 winning and 10 losing scoring combinations.
Spectators can catch the action from Goat Island where bleachers will be set up north of the Hyatt Regency Newport Hotel and Spa. Color-coded sails and commentary, courtesy of Tufts University sailing coach Ken Legler, will aid observers in following the progress of each team, including the defending champions -- Team Whishbone -- from the U.S.A.
This is the sixth time since 1995 that this biennial world championship has been held and only its second time in the U.S.A. New York Yacht Club will host the championship from September 24-October 1, at its Harbour Court clubhouse. Competing will be two teams each from Australia, Great Britain, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand and the U.S.A., and one team each from Canada, the Czech Republic, India, Italy, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Two days of practice racing kick off the on-the-water action, with Opening Ceremonies set for Sunday evening, September 25, 2005. Racing begins on Monday, September 26, with upward of 400 races expected to be held before the teams who will move into the finals on October 1 are determined. Awards will be presented on Saturday, October 1, followed by Closing Ceremonies.
During the championship week, local establishments will be celebrating the visit of the international teams with special menus and signature drinks created by sponsor Grey Gooseâ . Local residents are encouraged to join the fun that will get underway nightly at 7:00 p.m. as follows: on Sunday, Sept. 25 at One Pelham East on Thames Street; Monday, Sept. 26 at The Landing Restaurant on Bowen's Wharf; Tuesday, Sept. 27 at The Fifth Element on lower Thames Street; Thursday, Sept. 29 at Zelda's and the International Yacht and Athletic Club (IYAC), both on lower Thames Street; Friday, Sept. 30 at The Clarke Cooke House on Bannister's Wharf, and from 2200-2400 at Studio 3 on Thames Street.
In addition to title sponsor Grey Gooseâ , supporting sponsors are North Sails, Vanguard Sailboats, Ribcraft Inc., Ronstan, Sailing World and Sentient Jet Membership. Suppliers are American Lighthouse Foundation, Bagel Boys, Barry Motors, Challenge Electronics, Conanicut Marine Services, Crystal Spring Water Company, Heineken, Hyatt Regency Newport Hotel and Spa, International Yacht and Athletic Club, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Jailhouse Inn, Jamestown Ferry, Newport Harbor Hotel, Newport Lobster Company, Newport Tent, North Flags, R.I. State Yachting Committee, Rolex Watch U.S.A., Sailing Foundation of New York and Team One Newport. The organizing authority for the championship is NYYC, ISAF and US SAILING, the United States’ Member National Authority (MNA) of ISAF.
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