Statue of Liberty Marathon Sailing Race expecting record turn-out, about 100 Boats Expected to Race from the Sandy Hook Bay to New York Harbor… and back

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, N.J. - June 24, 2006 - For skippers and crew of catamaran sailing boats, the most exciting event of the year is approaching quickly. On July 2, the Sandy Hook Bay Catamaran Club, located in Atlantic Highlands (NJ), will be hosting its famous annual event, known among sailors as the "Statue of Liberty Marathon Sailing Race”. With just days to go till Independence Day weekend, an increasing number of teams are signing up to participate in what is probably the largest sailing event in New York harbor this summer.

“We are proud to host one of the largest annual sailing events in New York Harbor, and definitely the one with the most boats,” said Jacques Pierret, the club’s race director. “With more than 75 boats pre-registered, the race is well on its way toward a record attendance this year, and we are getting close to our goal of seeing a 100 boats that the starting line. Our race is the living proof that sailing off the New York & New Jersey coast is easily accessible and affordable to all.”

After a nail-biting final day in Rotterdam, the first Volvo Extreme 40 Grand Prix series has come to an end. Five brand-new 40-foot carbon multihulls competed worldwide on five locations during the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-06. The teams managed to convince the organization and the VO 70 sailors about the beauty and strength of the new class. The integration turned out to be an advantage for both sides and the Volvo Extreme 40 concept is to be continued. Mitch Booth, skipper of Team Holmatro and creator of the Volvo Extreme 40, talked in an interview about the first experiences and the future plans.

‘Not highly focused'
The American entry Tommy Hilfiger with Randy Smith on the helm took the overall victory, followed by the British crews Motorola-CHR and Basilica. Team Holmatro, representing the Netherlands, finished fourth. Booth: “We had some good racing and it was really close, but we were not highly focused on it.” As initiator of the VX 40 class, Mitch Booth and Herbert Dercksen also aimed at a smooth running of the events. Booth: “We changed crew members quit often for different reasons. That reflected on our results. We were not consistent enough.”

ST. THOMAS, USVI -The 34th International Rolex Regatta, hosted by St. Thomas Yacht Club, has been scheduled for Friday, March 23 through Sunday, March 25, 2007. An annual favorite on the Caribbean racing calendar, the three-day event features handicap and one-design racing benefiting from professional race management, dependable trade winds and a varied and challenging schedule of races -- including both windward-leeward and distance courses -- on the sapphire-blue waters surrounding the archipelago of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Beachside social activities blend St. Thomas Yacht Club's island-style hospitality with the outstanding camaraderie and competition that hundreds of participants have come to expect each year.

Yachts racing under the CSA (Caribbean Sailing Association Rating Rule, www.caribbean-sailing.com) will include Multihulls, CSA and One-Design classes of at least 24 feet as well as Beach Cats. Continuing over three decades of tradition, winners of qualifying classes will be awarded trophies for first through third places, and the winner of each class will take home a Rolex timepiece.

The Hobie 16 Youth and Women's North Americans will be hosted by Fleet 250 in Sandy Hook, NJ on July 21-23. The event begins with a GEP clinic for participants on Thursday followed by three days of racing. National Hull Flying Championships Saturday after the racing. Fleet 250 web site

Come race at one of the largest catamaran clubs in the world. Enjoy our hospitality with free camping and dinner on the beach every night. No pre-registration needed. See NOR in the Calendar.

“It was absolutely an exciting battle”, said Remco Kenbeek, who won the 29th Zwitserleven Round Texel Race on handicap. And not only for the overall victory, but also for the line honours. The surf and waves were calm this year, but the conditions were tricky with a variabale wind. It was a matter of patience, endurance, concentration, tactics and luck. Favourite crews forfeited their chances and others became unexpected heroes. Meanwhile, the crowd onshore enjoyed the sun and the competition, which was broadcasted live on a television screen on the Texel beach at Paal 17. They witnessed a close fought finish of Göran Marström and Thomas Persson (SWE).

On June 17th 2006 at noon, 436 catamarans lined up for the 29th edition of the Zwitserleven Round Texel Race. Nothing could go wrong with a light westerly breeze and a pretty flat North Sea. Thanks to title sponsor Zwitserleven the beach was fitted with easy red beach chairs, so people onshore were ready for the race as well. Most of the top teams chose the favoured beach side of the starting line or a little bit above it. As the helicopter spit the smoke over the fleet, the competitors were off towards the light house. The high tech carbon boats in front, followed by a number of top Formula 18-teams and at a distance the rest of the participants.