Farrâ One-Design Classes Unite for Mega Event Sponsored by Rolex

ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND (Sept. 3, 2003) -- Farrâ International has joined forces with Rolex Watch U.S.A., the Storm Trysail Club and the Mumm 30 and Farr 40 Class Associations to organize the 2003 Rolex Farr One Design Invitational. This first-ever event combines class starts for the Rolex Mumm 30 and the Rolex Farr 40 North American Championships with a new handicap-racing event, the Rolex Farr One-Design Open Championship, in which the Mumm 36, Farr 36, Farr 395, IC 45, Farr 52 and CM 60 classes will race under a handicap formula devised by Farr Yacht Design, Inc. An 11-race series is scheduled for November 19-22, 2003, off Miami, Florida. Class winners will be awarded specially engraved Rolex watches.

When asked about the development of the combination event, Farr International President Geoff Stagg (Annapolis, Md.) said, "The timing was right and we knew the venue, with headquarters at the Miami Beach Marina, was perfect. We have held other regattas there in the Fall/Winter season, including last year's Farr 40 North Americans. The owners in that class and the Mumm 30 class wanted to return, so we decided to build on that enthusiasm and open it up to all of the Farr one-design constituents." Additionally, there will be yacht club or geographical teams comprised of one boat from each class, which will add another dimension of fun to the competition.

Stagg estimates that 20-25 Farr 40s, 15-20 Mumm 30s and 15 or more open-class boats will participate. Expected to be among them are Steadfast, the defending Mumm 30 North American champion skippered by Canada's Fred Sherratt, and Samba Pa Ti, the defending Farr 40 North American champion skippered by John Kilroy of Los Angeles, California.

"With title sponsorship from Rolex and race administration by the Storm Trysail Club, we have a proven formula for success," added Stagg. "The regatta builds on a productive relationship with Rolex, which has sponsored the Farr 40 World Championships for the last three years." (Rolex also will sponsor the 2004 World Championships for the Farr 40 class next September in San Francisco and the 2005 World Championships in Sydney.)

Supporting sponsors for the event will be long-term Farr class partners North Sails, Champagne Mumm and Lewmar.

A Notice of Race for the 2003 Rolex Farr One Design Invitational is posted at www.farr40.org, www.mumm30.org and www.farrinternational.com