USMCA, LIGHTSURF AND GENEVA TRADING SUPPORT THE 2001 MELGES 24 WORLDS

The International Melges 24 Class Association and Premiere Racing Inc are delighted to announce three further sponsorships of the 2001 Melges 24 World Championship, to be held in association with Terra Nova Trading/Yachting Key West Race Week from 20-25 January 2002.

The United States Melges 24 Class Association has already played a vital role in the rescheduling of this World Championship and it has now re-affirmed its commitment to the success of the event by becoming a Supporting Sponsor.

"The United States Melges24 Class Association is delighted to sponsor this record setting event. Never before has the United States had this many Melges24s come together at one time. Due to the diligent efforts by the International Melges24 Class Association, Premiere Racing, all Melges24 Class Associations, the Class Members and all of the Sponsors, we have worked through the unfortunate circumstance surrounding the events of 9-11. We have pulled together to make this dream a reality. Thanks to all for their hard work and a special thanks to the Competitors for their willingness to pursue their passion of racing even through difficult times." Hal Pickering, Chairman, USMCA

LightSurf Technologies Inc, the leading provider of instant imaging technology, solutions and services for wireless and wireline applications, has come aboard as an Associate Sponsor. LightSurf Chairman and Founder Philippe Kahn will be competing in the Championship as will his 12 year old son Shark who will be leading his own team and will be the youngest ever competitor at a Melges 24 Worlds.

"As chairman of LightSurf I am proud to personally sponsor the Melges 24 Worlds in Key West this year. We found that most competitors use extensively their cell phones, email and the Internet and are ready in the next couple of years to adopt instant imaging for better communications, a perfect audience for our technology" Philippe Kahn, Chairman LightSurf Technolgies Inc.

Geneva Trading USA, LLC is a proprietary electronic trading firm with bases in Chicago and Dublin. Geneva's Thomas Freytag, Brian Porter, H Arthur Brereton and John Porter are all familiar faces on the international Melges 24 circuit having been involved with the class since it's inception. Recognising the potential benefits of a commercial link with the Melges 24 class Geneva Trading has committed to an Associate Sponsor package. "Whilst researching and developing the marketing programme for Geneva Trading we identified that grand prix sailing offered an excellent promotional medium for us. We were therefore delighted when theopportunity to sponsor the 2001 Melges 24 World Championship arose." Tom Freytag, Partner, Geneva Trading USA, LLC

The USMCA, LightSurf and Geneva Trading join existing 2001 Melges 24 World Championship sponsors Terra Nova Trading/Yachting Key West Race Week, Woody's Ice, North Sails and Melges Performance Sailboats.

In addition to the above commercial sponsorships a number of private individuals have also made generous donations. These private donors have asked to remain anonymous but the IMCA would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank them for their invaluable assistance.

For further information about the Melges 24 Worlds and Terra Nova Trading/Yachting Key West Race Week please contact IMCA Press Officer Fiona Brown, e-mail FionaBrown@compuserve.com, Tel +44 (0)7711 718470, web site
www.melges24.com or Key West Race Week Press Officer Rich Roberts, e-mail richroberts@compuserve.com, Tel +1 310-213-2526, web site www.premiere-racing.com.

Further information about the United States Melges 24 Class Association is available from USMCA Chairman Hal Pickering on e-mail halpick@home.com and via www.melges24.com/usmca.

Further information about LightSurf Technologies Inc is available from www.LightSurf.com.

Further information about Geneva Trading USA, LLC is available from www.geneva-trading.com.