News & Interest

April 25th, 2009

Registration Pace Strong for BI Race Week

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04/25/09
Block Island, R.I., USA (April 23, 2009) -With less than two months before the first starting gun sounds at Block Island Race Week presented by Rolex, organizer Storm Trysail Club announced that over 125 boats have entered in advance of the June 1 deadline. Crediting Regatta Chairman Eric Kreuter’s (Riverside, Conn.) ingenious plan to “register early, pay later” for the early bump in registrants, On-the-Water Co-Chair Dick Neville (Annapolis, Md.) projects at least 14 class divisions based on the entry list, to date. “We will accept entries up until June 11, with an additional late fee, however we’re asking everyone who plans to compete to register soon so we can stock up on the Mt. Gay Rum.” The completed entry process is due by June 1 via the event website www.blockislandraceweek.com.

For the first time in the regatta’s history, one lucky sailor will win an invitation to compete in the Bitter End Yacht Club’s Pro Am Regatta, scheduled for October 31 – November 7, 2009. “The top Corinthian owner/driver in each class will be entered into a drawing at the Awards Ceremony on Friday, June 26,” explained Kreuter. “The winner will receive an invitation to the Bitter End Yacht Club, in Virgin Gorda, BVI, including eight days and seven nights’ accommodation, all meals and, best of all, the chance go head-to-head against Paul Cayard, Ed Baird and Olympic Gold Medalist Anna Tunnicliffe.”

Specifically in which classes sailors will be competing is a factor of entries. “We already have solid one design classes for the NYYC Swan42s, J/122s, J/109s and the J/105s,” continued Neville. “There are strong numbers registered in the Beneteau 36.7, Farr 30 and Farr 40 classes, which means they, too, will have their own start. Right now, we’re looking at three IRC classes and three or four PHRF classes, as well as a Navigator Class for boat owners who enjoy longer course legs, some reaching and one race per day.”

Based on current projections over 150 boats and 1500 sailors are expected to compete, June 22-26, on the waters off of Block Island. The racing format for the week allows for three fleets on three different race courses. Sailors will be gunning for individual class trophies, with fleets vying for Rolex watches as overall prizes for the top-performing yachts. A traditional around-the-island distance race (with an option of a second distance race) will be included.

For those with endorsed IRC ratings, the Storm Trysail Club’s Block Island Race Week XXIII presented by Rolex is a qualifier for the US-IRC Gulf Stream Series http://www.us-irc.org.

Headquarters for the 2009 Block Island Race Week presented by Rolex will be located at The Oar Restaurant, while evening social activities and daily awards take place in the event tent. Overall trophies for the week, as well as drawing for the Bitter End Pro Am Regatta, will be presented on Friday, June 26.

Compliments of Rolex, daily video shows of each day’s racing will be produced by Annapolis-based T2Productions and broadcast on-line each night by 9 p.m. on www.t2p.tv. The videos also will be shown each day under the “Big Top” tent where all of Race Week’s sponsors will have a presence. Sponsors are Rolex, Caithness Energy, Mt. Gay, Lewmar, Bitter End Yacht Club, Gill, Gowrie Barden & Brett, Hall Spars, Heineken, Sailing World magazine, Summit Yachts, UKHalsey Sailmakers and Vineyard Vines.

For more information, visit www.blockislandraceweek.com.

About Rolex Watch U.S.A. Since Rolex Watch U.S.A. first presented timepieces to America’s Cup defenders in 1958, the company has consistently recognized and encouraged excellence in every important arena of competitive sailing, including elite athlete preparation, US SAILING championships, disabled sailing, and offshore, one-design and women’s events.

Block Island Race Week presented by Rolex is part of the Rolex Yachting Portfolio that includes over 20 world-class sailing events that take place around the world including the Rolex Miami OCR, Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, Rolex Fastnet Race, Rolex Farr 40 World Championship, Rolex Big Boat Series, Rolex US-IRC National Championship, Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship, Rolex Osprey Cup and the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

About Storm Trysail Club Reflecting in its name the sail to which sailors must shorten when facing adverse conditions, the Storm Trysail Club is one of the world’s most respected sailing clubs, with its membership comprised strictly of skilled blue water and ocean racing sailors. www.stormtrysail.org.