| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 12, 1998 | Contact: Joe Hoffman Information Director, 505 Worlds 508 790 4800 508 790 1322 fax 800 347 8057 |
HYANNIS, MASS. - The parking area at the Hyannis Yacht Club was wall to wall cars and 505s today, as the turnout for the Sea-Land 43rd International 505 World Championship surged toward 110 boats. All eight containers from Europe, Australia, and the West Coast are on site and unloaded. Twenty competitors from the USA and abroad took to the wind-whipped waters off Hyannis - Nantucket Sound - to get in some pre-race practice. The weather conditions today were glorious: a stiff southwesterly at 25 knots with three foot waves. "The rumor was the English were going pretty fast," chuckled senior event organizer Tom Kivney.
It is clear that momentum is building for the event. The regatta site is taking on an international flavor. Fifteen flags, representing the countries of many of the competitors, are on display at the Hyannis Yacht Club pier. Old friends greeted each other in the parking lot with high fives, hugs, and offers of cold beer. Event Chairman David Crawford announced late today that 106 505s had registered, and 110 are now expected.
"It was difficult to drive into the parking lot when I arrived on site this afternoon, as every few feet I saw another good friend and wanted to stop and say hello", said class VP Ali Meller.
A practice race is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday. The forecast calls for 10-20 knots from the North. The 1998 Sea-Land International 505 North American/pre-world Championship are set to begin Monday with two races on the schedule. The first of the daily after-social events, sponsored by Grey Goose Vodka, is on for 5 p.m. Monday.
"I am amazed and impressed with the enthusiasm and turnout for this championship event," said event chairman David Crawford. "This is shaping up to be the largest 505 World Championship in class history."
Further information about the Sea-Land 43rd International 505 World Championship is available from the event web site at URL: http://standard31.infoboard.net/ft/505worlds.html.