Official Melges 24 Blog

The 2009 Melges 24 European Championship in Hyeres, France (21-28 August) is shaping up to be a truly international affair, attracting entries from a total of sixteen countries. With Saturday’s 1 August final entry deadline looming, Italy dominates the entry list with a total of twenty-two teams already registered. The Italian contingent is not lacking in quality either and includes the reigning World Champions – Lorenzo Santini’s Uka Uka crew, as well as 2006 World Champion Nico Celon helming Fantasticaaa, amongst their number. The next largest entry comes from the Germany, who can boast eleven entries including the IM24CA’s very own Chairman Günter Tzeschlock. With a total of nine boats, the largest GBR squad for some time includes several new owners looking to cut their teeth at a major Melges 24 Championship. An eight strong French challenge is spearheaded by Maxime Paul’s Marsail 1 who will be hoping to perform well in his home country. The Swiss have also sent eight boats to the European Championship including none other than the reigning European Champion and 2001 World Champion, Flavio Favini at the helm of Franco Rossini’s Blu Moon. For perhaps the first time at a European Melges 24 Championship the fleet is also delighted to warmly welcome an entry from Japan, in the form of Ichiro Ukumori’s Threebond.

The rest of the fleet is made up of entries from countries across Europe and with representation from Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Finland, Ukraine, Czechoslovakia, Ireland, Austria, the Netherlands and Sweden, the 2009 European Championship is shaping up to be a fantastic week of Melges 24 racing.

The final closing date for entries is Saturday 1 August and potential competitors are reminded that no late entries will be accepted after this date.  The notice of race, entry form and additional information are available from the EVENT WEB SITE.

Corinthian competitors, who wish to race in the all-amateur division of the competition, are also reminded that they must have submitted their full crew lists, including each crewmember’s ISAF ID, classification and expiry date, by Saturday 1 August.  Teams that have not submitted their full crew lists with all details by this date will not be eligible for the Corinthian element of the championship.  Corinthian competitors who have already submitted their entries are recommended to check the ONLINE ENTRY LIST to confirm that their crew details are correctly recorded and e-mail coych@wanadoo.fr with any additions or corrections.

The Notice of Race, Entry Form, accommodation and logistical information are all available from the official event web site www.m24european2009.com.    The event is most generously supported by official sponsors Vile d’Hyeres, Conseil General du Var, Conseil Regional PACA, Office du Tourisme d’Hyeres, Eurovoiles, Quantum Sail Design Group, Brasserie Le Tocco, X Voiles – Russo and Ricoh.   For further information about the 2009 International Melges 24 European Championship please visit the event web site at www.m24european2009.com or contact:-

Justin Chisholm
2009 Melges 24 European Championship Press Officer
E-mail justin@justinchisholmsolutions.com
Mobile – +44(0)7769 938722

Bastien Berenguier
COYHC Press Officer
E-mail - bastien@neodyme-communication.com
Mobile – +33(0)671 291651

Fiona Brown
IMCA Press Officer
E-mail – fiona.brown@melges24.com
Mobile – +44(0)7711 718470 Skype – fpbrown

The Melges 24 is designed by Reichel Pugh and considered the most unique one design sportboat in the world as well as one of the fastest-growing classes of high performance yachts. For more information, visit the official class websites of the International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA) and the French Melges 24 Class Association.

Please note that the entry deadline for the Melges 24 European Championship,  which takes place in Hyeres, France from August 21-28,  is just two weeks away on Friday 3 July 2009.  Entries received after this date will be subject to a late entry surcharge of Euro 210 and the absolute final deadline for entries is Saturday 1 August 2009.  For the Notice Of Race, Entry Form, Online Entry and accommodation and other logistical information please visit the EVENT WEB SITE.

The 2009 International Melges 24 European Championship will be hosted by the Cercle d’Organisation du Yachting de Compétition Hyérios (COYCH), in Hyeres, France from 21 to 28 August 2009.

As host of the 2006 Melges 24 World Championship and the annual Novembre a Hyeres regatta, Hyeres is already an extremely popular regatta venue for the Melges 24 fleet.  The stunning Cote d’Azur location, exceptional sailing conditions, excellent logistical links and outstanding facilities make it a natural choice for major events and the International Melges 24 Class is delighted to once again be working with the COYCH and the French Melges 24 Class.

Hyeres’ popularity and close proximity to a large proportion of the European Melges 24 fleet means that a record entry of more than eighty boats is expected for this event.  Reigning Melges 24 European Champions Flavio Favini and the Swiss Blu Moon team of Franco Rossini are expected to defend their title, whilst Lorenzo Santini’s Italian Uka Uka team will be hoping to add the European Trophy to their cabinet which already holds the 2008 Melges 24 World Trophy.  Challenging them will be the best of the European Melges 24 teams as well as crews from North America and Australia.

Registration for the regatta will open on Friday 21 August, there will be practise racing on Sunday 23 August and Championship racing will run from Monday 24 to Friday 28 August.  The social programme will include an official opening ceremony, après sailing gatherings and a gala prize giving ceremony.  Hyeres is famous for its hospitality and looks forward once again to welcoming the Melges 24 teams.

The Notice of Race, Entry Form, accommodation and logistical information are all available from the official event web site www.m24european2009.com. 

The event is most generously supported by official sponsors Vile d’Hyeres, Conseil General du Var, Conseil Regional PACA, Office du Tourisme d’Hyeres, Eurovoiles, Quantum Sail Design Group, Brasserie Le Tocco, X Voiles – Russo and Ricoh.

For further information about the 2009 International Melges 24 European Championship please visit the event web site at www.m24european2009.com or contact:-

Bastien Berenguier

COYHC Press Officer

E-mail – bastien@neodyme-communication.com

Mobile – +33(0)671 291651

Fiona Brown

IMCA Press Officer

E-mail – fiona.brown@melges24.com

Mobile – +44(0)7711 718470

Skype – fpbrown

The Melges 24 is designed by Reichel Pugh and considered the most unique one design sportboat in the world as well as one of the fastest-growing classes of high performance yachts. For more information, visit the official class websites of the International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA) and the French Melges 24 Class Association.