City Of Annapolis To Award Trophy At J22 World Championships

May 12, 2004 -- The City of Annapolis will present a trophy to the top Annapolis team participating in the record-breaking 2004 International J22 Class World Championship, which takes place May 18 - 21 and is hosted by the Annapolis Yacht Club in Maryland, USA.

In announcing the City of Annapolis Trophy, Mayor Ellen Moyer stated "We welcome the opportunity to showcase our hometown sailing talent by awarding the City of Annapolis Trophy to the top Annapolis team competing in the 2004 International J22 Class World Championship."

"Annapolis has established a solid reputation as the Sailing Capital of America," she continued. "The unparalleled enthusiasm and support of our residents, yacht clubs, and sailing community has created a warm and hospitable environment which welcomes sailors from all over the world to our historic maritime city."

The 2004 International J22 Class World Championship will feature a record number of 130 teams competing in the five-day event, which is sailed onboard International J/22 Class keelboats. Almost 500 sailors from the United States, Italy, Canada, the Cayman Islands, and the Netherlands will participate in the Annapolis regatta, making this the largest J22 regatta in the history of the Fleet. Twelve races are scheduled over four days and will determine the J22 World Championship team for 2004.

The Championship regatta will begin with the Monday May 17 Opening Ceremony at 1700 hours, and located at the Susan Campbell Park at the Annapolis City Dock where Mayor Moyer will welcome the competitors. The public is invited to attend the ceremony.

Other features of the event include daily sailing videos by T2 Productions shown each evening after racing at the Boatyard Bar and Grill in Eastport, and, on Wednesday May 20, 2004, the regatta will hold a unique City of Annapolis night where competitors are free to explore Annapolis area restaurants using discount tickets and coupons provided to the sailors.

The City of Annapolis Trophy will be presented at the Friday May 21, 2004 International J22 World Championship Awards Ceremony, which will be held at the Annapolis Yacht Club one hour after Race Committee boats are docked at AYC. For more information about the regatta, see the http://j22.org/worlds web site. The City of Annapolis web site is www.annapolis.gov.