2011 Böklunder Melges 24 European Championship - 80 Boat International Fleet Assembles In Aarhus
A top quality fleet of 80 teams has assembled at Aarhus Sailing Club in Denmark on the eve of the start of racing at the 2011 Böklunder Melges 24 European Championship. The championship runs from July 22 - 28 and has attracted entries from 16 nations across Europe and even as far afield as Japan. Racing in the main championship series begins tomorrow, Sunday 24th July, with the first start scheduled for 10 AM local time. The ten race series runs through until Thursday 28 July.
Today around 60 teams took advantage of a practise day to line up against the competition and to familiarise themselves with the local conditions. Wind conditions out on the water during the day built from almost flat calm to around 10 knots, allowing two practise races to be run, giving both the competitors and the race team a chance to dial into regatta mode. Speaking after racing, several competitors commented on the shifty nature and patchiness of the breeze on the racecourse, suggesting that it could be a tricky week ahead for the tacticians. Back ashore, the sailors were able to finish preparing their boats for competition, before this afternoon enjoying some free beer and a Böklunder sausage barbecue.
Immediately prior to the Championship Opening Ceremony this evening Principal Race Officer Hank Stuart led the packed marquee in a minute's silence in recognition of the terrible events which took place in Norway yesterday. During the opening ceremony local regatta organisers Torben Houborg, Borge Dammand, Christina Laub Frank and Kenneth Holst were thanked by International Melges 24 Class Chairman Riccardo Simoneschi for their hard work in putting this championship together.
Racing in the 2011 Böklunder Melges 24 European Championship series begins Sunday 24th July and the ten race series runs through until Thursday 28 July.
Media representatives who would like to attend the event are asked to contact IM24CA Media Coordinator Fiona Brown on fiona.brown@melges24.com.
Aarhus Sailing Club and the International Melges 24 Class would like to thank event title sponsor Böklunder for their most generous support of the 2011 Böklunder Melges 24 European Championship. Böklunder is the producer of a delicious range of meat and sausage products.
The 2011 Böklunder Melges 24 European Championship will run from 22 to 28 July. Registration will open on the morning of Friday 22 July, there will be practice racing on Saturday 23 July and Championship racing will run from Sunday 24 to Thursday 28 July inclusive. You can keep up with all the latest news and developments from the 2011 Böklunder Melges 24 World Championship via the Championship Facebook Page, the event web site and www.melges24.com.
The 2011 Böklunder Melges 24 European Championship is sponsored and supported by:-
Böklunder
Henri Lloyd
Aarhus Kommune
Sport Aarhus Events
Idraetssamvirket Aarhus
Canon
Volvo
Kongres Kompagniet
Ullman Sails
Sailing Aarhus
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 please visit the official website of theInternational Melges 24 Class Association.
For more information please contact:
Justin Chisholm
International Melges 24 Class Event Press Officer
justin@justinchisholmsolutions.com
Skype justinchis
Tel +44 7769 938722
Fiona Brown
International Melges 24 Class Administrator & Media Coordinator
fiona.brown@melges24.com
Skype fpbrown
Tel +44 7711 718470
Thomas Capitani Nielsen
Sailing Aarhus
tcn@sailing-aarhus.dk
Skype capitani-nielsen
Tel +45 30 11 42 90
René Bruun
Chairman Danish Melges 24 Association
rene.bruun@bni.as
Tel +45 41 12 11 24